As the Lakers have built up a few small strands of goodwill with the better game in their last four games, LeBron James often credits the return of the Lakers to the "glue boys"—players who have been the team's hiatus around max-contract stars. fill up completely. He complements what Russell Westbrook and, finally, Anthony Davis can do.
Avery Bradley brought the defensive intensity. Malik Monk added shot creation. Austin Reeves gave him something intangible and Trevor Ariza brought experience and versatility.
next? Maybe it will be guard Kendrick Nunn.
In one of the few offseason moves the Lakers were able to invest in more than a minimum deal, the Lakers signed Nunn with the hope that he would be a contributor on both ends of the court. Before Bradley was signed at the end of training camp, some NBA scouts felt that Nunn would be the team's best perimeter guard.
But injuries - first to the ankle and then to the knee - have kept the 26-year-old nun from playing so far this regular season.
On Monday, however, Lakers coach Frank Vogel offered a positive update on Nunn's recovery from a hamstring injury to his right knee.
"He's making progress. He's working more and more on the court," Vogel said. “I spoke to one of my assistant coaches about his work today. And he definitely looks like he's getting closer to where we need him to be. There's still no timetable on that, other than to say it's getting closer."
The Nuns averaged 15 points over two seasons with the Heat and $10.25 million before signing with the Lakers for two years.
"[We] threw him into the mix and see what he looks like in our system before we can make any real determination about his role," Vogel said.
“But we love what his game is about – shoot all three to play in a pick-and-roll game, and be the attacker on the other side when you have Bronn, Russell, and Eddie with basketballs. So, he’s the one.” Talented young man and someone we really think can help us.”
Stanley Johnson sticking around?
The Lakers finalized their trade with Cleveland on Monday, sending off point guard Rajon Rondo to the Cavaliers. The New York Knicks were the third team in the deal, with the Lakers receiving draft rights in 2014 to second-round pick, French big man Louis Labrie.
The move saved the Lakers money in the NBA's luxury tax and created an open roster spot they'll need if they want to re-sign Stanley Johnson.
Neither Johnson nor Darren Collison were with the Lakers on Monday after their 10-day hardship contract expired. Johnson, however, looks like he is still in the teams plan.
Vogel said, "I don't know the actual details that I can go into on him, other than that we still hope to bring him back for a few more games." "All those answers will reveal themselves in the next few days."
Johnson has played five games with the Lakers, three of which have starts. He averages 6.8 points, giving the team another tall, athletic defender.
When talking about what he probably needed an entire season to find the best pairing and lineup, Vogel included Johnson's name, saying that he "potentially became a factor for us."
Etc.
Lakers assistant coach David Fizdale, who served with Vogel as interim coach fighting COVID-19, is now in health and safety protocol himself. Vogel said Fizdale virtually attended meetings of the team's coaches on Monday. Assistant Mike Penberthy is also in protocol, missing the Lakers' last two games. ...Vogel said the Lakers wanted to do right by Rondo and take his interests into account in addition to building roster flexibility by trading him to a team where he could play. "Rondo means the world to me," Vogel said. “He is one of my favorite players I have ever coached. He was an integral part of us winning the championship two years ago, I won my first championship and he will always be a special player and a special friend to me.
UP NEXT
VS. SACRAMENTO
When: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday
On the air: TV: Spectrum SportsNet, NBA TV; Radio: 710, 1330
Update: The Lakers (19-19) hosted their division rivals twice over the next eight days to wrap up their season series. Like the Lakers, the Kings (16-22) beat the Miami Heat 115-113 on Sunday to win three of their last four matches. The Kings are led by a backcourt of D'Aaron Fox, Tyrese Halliburton and Buddy Heald, but former Lakers center Damien Jones has played well last week. Aside from a pair of coaches in health and safety protocol, the Lakers should be the same team coming out of victories against Portland and Minnesota as they try to get back over .500.