Jovan Buha

They got a four game trip next week. So I think most likely at some point on that trip, but there is a slight chance that he is back Saturday against Chicago.

They got a four game trip next week. So I think most likely at some point on that trip, but there is a slight chance that he is back Saturday against Chicago.

Yeah, exactly.

Yeah, exactly.

Yeah, exactly.

Seems like Chicago is in play for Rui to make his return. He started doing some three-on-three action, so that's their ramp-up process. I think the Lakers, with both players and in general, have been a bit cautious with injuries this year. They are trying to prioritize health over seating. So I think Rui's on a similar timeline to LeBron. He's a little bit closer to returning.

Seems like Chicago is in play for Rui to make his return. He started doing some three-on-three action, so that's their ramp-up process. I think the Lakers, with both players and in general, have been a bit cautious with injuries this year. They are trying to prioritize health over seating. So I think Rui's on a similar timeline to LeBron. He's a little bit closer to returning.

Seems like Chicago is in play for Rui to make his return. He started doing some three-on-three action, so that's their ramp-up process. I think the Lakers, with both players and in general, have been a bit cautious with injuries this year. They are trying to prioritize health over seating. So I think Rui's on a similar timeline to LeBron. He's a little bit closer to returning.

So I think that's probably more of like a 50-50 for Saturday and then, if not, at some point early on the road trip.

So I think that's probably more of like a 50-50 for Saturday and then, if not, at some point early on the road trip.

So I think that's probably more of like a 50-50 for Saturday and then, if not, at some point early on the road trip.

I think it's more the latter. They just feel like in any series they play, they're going to have two of the three best players, if not arguably the two best. I think if you put them up against Memphis, you put them up against Houston, they're confident they have the two best players on the floor.

I think it's more the latter. They just feel like in any series they play, they're going to have two of the three best players, if not arguably the two best. I think if you put them up against Memphis, you put them up against Houston, they're confident they have the two best players on the floor.

I think it's more the latter. They just feel like in any series they play, they're going to have two of the three best players, if not arguably the two best. I think if you put them up against Memphis, you put them up against Houston, they're confident they have the two best players on the floor.

So I think regardless of kind of how the seating plays out, I think the two exceptions would obviously be OKC and Denver because of how great Shea and Nikola Jokic are individually. But Outside of those two matchups, which it doesn't seem like the Lakers are going to drop to eighth. I think LeBron would have to have some type of setback or maybe like a re-aggravation upon returning.

So I think regardless of kind of how the seating plays out, I think the two exceptions would obviously be OKC and Denver because of how great Shea and Nikola Jokic are individually. But Outside of those two matchups, which it doesn't seem like the Lakers are going to drop to eighth. I think LeBron would have to have some type of setback or maybe like a re-aggravation upon returning.

So I think regardless of kind of how the seating plays out, I think the two exceptions would obviously be OKC and Denver because of how great Shea and Nikola Jokic are individually. But Outside of those two matchups, which it doesn't seem like the Lakers are going to drop to eighth. I think LeBron would have to have some type of setback or maybe like a re-aggravation upon returning.

And even the Denver matchup, I guess they could match up something like 3-6. But that's seeming unlikely for now. Seems like Lakers will probably finish in that top five. So assuming they're in that top five, they like their matchup against Memphis or Houston or potentially Golden State. So I think for now... Of course, they want to be the two or three seed if they can secure that.

And even the Denver matchup, I guess they could match up something like 3-6. But that's seeming unlikely for now. Seems like Lakers will probably finish in that top five. So assuming they're in that top five, they like their matchup against Memphis or Houston or potentially Golden State. So I think for now... Of course, they want to be the two or three seed if they can secure that.

And even the Denver matchup, I guess they could match up something like 3-6. But that's seeming unlikely for now. Seems like Lakers will probably finish in that top five. So assuming they're in that top five, they like their matchup against Memphis or Houston or potentially Golden State. So I think for now... Of course, they want to be the two or three seed if they can secure that.