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Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers.
the Los Angeles Lakers the head coach Darvin Ham wasn’t specific regarding the trio of injured rotation players: Reddish Cam, Jared VanderbiltAnd Gabe Vincent.
With all three sides missing significant portions of the season, Ham’s words were measured.
“[Vincent]does its individual process. It continues, but in a really positive way. Same for Vando,” Ham told reporters March 20th. “Cam was able to participate today and we can’t wait to see him perform on [March 21].”
Reddish has missed the last four games and seven of the last 29 games.
He became a key contributor after injuries thrust him into the starting lineup. Injuries have been a problem throughout his career, and this season is no different.
The Lakers wing is averaging 7.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists while knocking down 37.7 percent of his looks from beyond the arc in 26 starts this season. His availability is a step in the right direction for the Lakers in a season marked by injuries.
Conflicting reports emerge on Lakers injuries
This all comes on the heels of a report from Bill Reiter of CBS Sports that all three players are out for the season.
“Sources tell @CBSSports that Los Angeles Lakers players Christian BoisJarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent will miss the remainder of the season,” Reiter posted on X on March 19. “While Vanderbilt could still come back, according to sources, the expectation is that it won’t happen. @espn first reported the news about Wood.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Wood’s surgery.
What Wojanrowski doesn’t say in this report is that Wood would almost certainly miss the rest of the season. Neither Ham nor the Lakers have suggested that either at this point.
“ESPN Sources with [Dave McMenamin]: Los Angeles Lakers’ Christian Wood will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and is expected to be out for several weeks, ” Wojnarowski reported in a post on X on March 18.
Marc Stein of the Stein Line also offered a report regarding Vincent that contradicted Reiter’s.
“Lakers G Gabe Vincent is close to returning and intends to play again this season, barring setbacks, league sources tell @TheSteinLine,” Stein reported on X on March 19. “Vincent only played 5 games as a Laker and underwent arthroscopic surgery (left knee) in late December.”
Darvin Ham rotations are finally a non-issue for the Lakers
Vanderbilt (29 games) has played more than Vincent (five games) this season. But neither player had the impact the Lakers expected early in the season.
Reddish, Vanderbilt and Vincent are all under contract for next season. Perhaps the Lakers are taking a cautious approach to them given how long they’ve been out. The team’s rotations are clearer without them at this point.
Ham accepted the criticismsome internal, about his rotations earlier in the season.
Injuries to Vanderbilt and Vincent played a role in Ham’s decision-making. They forced him to try different combinations to understand what worked.
As they advance, their rotations should get shorter anyway. Even if all three players return to active status for the Lakers, getting them back into shape and integrating them into the game plan could prove a challenge for Ham.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com with a focus on the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos. He has covered the NBA and NFL since 2016, including on FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He is based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck Learn more about Josh Buckhalter
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