D'Angelo Russell Expected to Return Friday for the Lakers, but Mo Bamba out a Month

The Lakers are expected to get some serious lineup relief tonight vs. Toronto, with D'Angelo Russell returning to the floor after a six game absence. And none too soon, because while the team has performed admirably with Dennis Schröder and Austin Reaves functioning as primary ball-handlers and team organizers, it's not a role that either is perfectly suited to play. Having Russell back in the lineup returns both guys to a more natural role - Schröder as an attacking guard off the bench, and Reaves as a natural facilitator and connecter, but not necessarily a point guard. Darvin Ham gets more options, which is something every coach appreciates. Plus, Russell's ability as a shooter should open the floor not just for interior players like Anthony Davis or Jarred Vanderbilt, but should also take some of the heat off a guy like Malik Beasley, who struggled in D'Lo's absence. Mo Bamba, unfortunately, will be out for about a month with an ankle sprain, robbing the Lakers not just of their only source of rim protection not named Anthony Davis, but also the opportunity to see how Bamba fits with this Lakers roster. They have choices to make this offseason, and Bamba (who has a team option for about $10 mil next year) is one of them. Even if the Lakers make the playoffs and Bamba is able to return by then, they're simply not going to get the kind of sample size of games/minutes they'd have liked. But while the Bamba injury hurts, the opportunity to have Russell back and playing well in a Western Conference that seems even more wide open following injuries to Luka Doncic on an already slumping Mavs squad, Brandon Ingram on a Pelicans team that is barely keeping its head above water, and then Kevin Durant on the Suns, who will miss a few weeks with an ankle injury. Phoenix isn't a team the Lakers are likely to catch, but it means when they play the Suns later this month, Durant is likely going to be in street clothes. From a scheduling standpoint, things just continue to open up for LA. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: D'Angelo Russell returns to the lineup. What's the impact on LA's rotation? SEGMENT 2: Mo Bamba will miss a month, a blow not just for this year, but for thinking of next season, too. SEGMENT 3: An interesting YouTube page comment pointing to a low key benefit of bringing this deeper group back next year, plus a look at more ways things are breaking in favor of the Lakers. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. Ultimate Pro Basketball GM To download the game just visit probasketballgm.com or look it up on the app stores. Our listeners get a 100% free boost to their franchise when using the promo LOCKEDON (ALL CAPS) in the game store. PrizePicks First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That’s PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON BetterHelp This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at Betterhelp.com/LockedOnNBA and get on your way to being your best self. FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Don’t miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices