The Lakers are in danger of slipping into the injury abyss again with Andrew Bynum out at least eight weeks, Chris Mihm at least a week from getting on the court (and iffy as far as regaining full mobility anyway) and Vladi Radmanovic now apparently still two weeks from a return.
That last item could be the one to trigger the Lakers adding a player to the roster. Phil Jackson had hoped to have Radmanovic back from an ankle sprain to be Lamar Odom’s backup at power forward starting Thursday night against Phoenix. That would ease the workload on Odom, Kwame Brown and Ronny Turiaf at the big spots on the floor in the wake of Bynum’s injury.
But Radmanovic’s workout Monday led to complications Tuesday and he was headed for an MRI exam.
“This is going to be at least another two weeks here before we expect him back on the court,” Jackson said. “Hopefully he can be on the roster for us when we go on that East Coast swing.”
That’s a nine-game epic that starts Jan. 31 in Detroit. That’d be quite a night for Chris Webber if he’s a Laker by then, and the Lakers are now considering seriously bringing in outside help after hearing about the Radmanovic setback. Webber had interest in the Lakers last year and has long-long-long wanted to wear purple and gold, but he logically opted for his hometown Detroit team and a better shot at a title. (He didn’t get the title — which is just a continuation of his career story.) Whether the Lakers really have the available minutes and spotlight this season to make Webber worth bringing aboard is unclear.
“We have to consider that,” Jackson said. “We have to consider possibilities to strengthen our roster.”
Adding a big body and waiting to see how Mihm and Radmanovic heal might be better for the Lakers in creating less of a distraction while they’re faring well. It’s also worth noting that the Lakers want defense and especially rebounding, and those aren’t Webber’s strengths anymore.
