Los Angeles Lakers: Frank Vogel Mum On Forward's Speculated Absence In Orlando Bubble

KEY POINTS

The Los Angeles Lakers have started training for the NBA restart in Orlando
Frank Vogel refused to comment on the speculated absence of Markieff Morris in the bubble
The Lakers and the Clippers will headline the league restart on July 30

The Los Angeles Lakers have already started training for the NBA restart but fans have noticed that newly acquired forward Markieff Morris is nowhere to be found during the runs inside the Orlando bubble. Asked about the reason behind his player’s speculated absence, head coach Frank Vogel begged off to provide details, saying the subject is a private concern within the team.

“We’re still, because of privacy concerns, not going to disclose the number of guys, or whether or not we have our full staff,” Vogel said prior to the Lakers' practice on Saturday.

The speculation is spurred as members of the team have been documenting their life inside the bubble and not a shade of Morris is seen.

“In searching through the Lakers’ various social media channels, their players’ social media profiles, JaVale McGee’s behind-the-scenes documentary on life in the NBA bubble and the 137 photos that Getty Images has posted of the Lakers’ three practices in Orlando and their arrival at Disney World, we were unable to find any clear visual evidence that Lakers forward Markieff Morris traveled with the team or is in Orlando,” Harrison Faigen of SB Nation’s Silver Screen and Roll wrote.

“We reached out to the Lakers, asking them if they could confirm Morris was with the team, but they did not respond,” he added. “All we know right now for a fact is that Morris has not been seen in any published photos or video from inside the bubble. It is possible that the cameras have just missed him so far.”

If Morris indeed opted not to join the Lakers for the resumption of the 2020 season, then the LeBron James-led squad would have to dig deeper into their already shorthanded lineup. It is to be noted that Avery Bradley did not join the team due to health and family reasons, while Rajon Rondo is expected to miss six to eight weeks after suffering a hand injury.

The NBA restart is scheduled to begin on July 30 with the Lakers headlining the much-awaited return against the Clippers in what could be a preview of the Western Conference Finals.