KEY POINTS

  • Jared Dudley is likely out of the season for the Los Angeles Lakers after suffering an MCL tear
  • The Lakers can no longer apply for disabled player exemption because the deadline lapsed last March 3
  • The Lakers can only make any roster iterations after the trade deadline on March 25.

The Los Angeles Lakers got a bit of a reprieve when word got out that Anthony Davis would be re-evaluated in two weeks on whether he can return.

Considering he has been reportedly doing well in rehab, the 6-foot-10 cager’s return could at least lessen the worries of head coach Frank Vogel.

Just when everything seemed to look up, the Lakers received a piece of unwanted bad news. Seldom-used Jared Dudley suffered a right knee contusion, something that forced him to miss the match against Indiana Pacers on Saturday.

But upon examination, it appears that the 35-year-old is also dealing with a right MCL tear, something that was not detailed.

Most feel that since the Lakers did not refer to it as a partial tear, Dudley’s injury could be serious. While he is on a guaranteed deal for the season, the fact remains that Los Angeles will be a player short once more moving forward.

The Lakers could apply for the disabled player exception, but the deadline already lapsed last March 3. Hence, they won’t get any financial assistance to replace Dudley.

But considering the 6-foot-6 player is on a veteran’s minimum, the franchise will have limited options.

The Lakers have been banking on players like Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Markieff Morris for now. That could improve if Davis is given the green light to return.

But it seems obvious that the Lakers need to pick up players from free agency if they want a formidable roster heading into the playoffs.

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers high fives Jared Dudley #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers high fives Jared Dudley #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers Getty Images | Michael Reaves

Los Angeles is monitoring the free-agent situation. There is the looming buyout of Andre Drummond of the Cleveland Cavaliers. There is no telling if P.J. Tucker or Victor Oladipo would be bought out by the Houston Rockets as of this writing.

There is also the case of JaVale McGee although a reunion with Los Angeles is a bit complicated. He needs to be traded and then waived before he can suit up again for the Lakers.

As things stand now, the Lakers face limited options in adding players to the roster. Damion Jones has been doing well and has been rewarded with another 10-day contract.

At any rate, Vogel needs to figure out who to add from free agency. A better picture on that may only be known after the Mach. 25 trade deadline.

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