With 10 games left in the regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers are clinging to 10th place in the Western Conference after they slipped past the Orlando Magic on Sunday, 111-105, thanks to a monster game from Austin Reaves.
They continue to be short-handed while LeBron James is continues his recovery from a right foot tendon injury. He doesn’t appear to be close to a return yet.
Buy Lakers TicketsIn addition, backup center Mo Bamba, who was starting to help with his ability to rebound, block shots and hit 3-pointers after he was acquired via trade in February, is still out with a sprained ankle. He is expected to be re-evaluated in early April, but it is unknown if he will be able to return before the end of the regular season.
His injury has left L.A. small when Anthony Davis is resting. Forward Wenyen Gabriel is manning the center spot in such situations and always plays his heart out, but he is a svelte 6-foot-9 and 205 pounds.
In an attempt to patch up their frontline, the Lakers will reportedly work out big men Tristan Thompson and Tony Bradley in the coming days.
The Los Angeles Lakers are working out free agent centers Tristan Thompson and Tony Bradley this week, sources tell me and @jovanbuha. Thompson, an 11-year NBA veteran, was a key member of the 2016 championship Cavaliers team alongside LeBron James.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 20, 2023
Thompson, like Gabriel, is 6-foot-9, but at over 250 pounds, he has a much rounder and more rugged physique. He was teammates with James when the Cleveland Cavaliers won the 2016 NBA championship, and the James/Klutch Sports influence could be a factor here.
Bradley, who is 6-foot-10 and nearly 250 pounds, was actually drafted by the Lakers in 2017 before being sent to the Utah Jazz on draft day for Thomas Bryant and Josh Hart. He was waived just a few weeks ago by the Chicago Bulls.
