While last season was very much about the Los Angeles Lakers developing their young core, the focus has since shifted to how Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma could help support LeBron James on a team with playoff hopes.
The process of James and his new teammates forming chemistry has been interrupted on multiple occasions, first because of suspension Ingram and Rajon Rondo received, then due to a sprained ankle Ingram sustained.
Now, James (strained groin) and Rondo (surgery) are sidelined themselves. So too has JaVale McGee as he’s battled flu-like symptoms and pneumonia.