Beijing time on December 17th! According to The Athletic reporter Shams Charania today, sources revealed that the Lakers have triggered health and safety agreements with Russell Westbrook, Dwight Howard, Avery Bradley and Malik Munch. According to salary expert Bobby Marks, in the current situation, the Lakers have two difficult special cases to use.
Earlier, according to The Athletic reporter Shams Charania, sources revealed that the Lakers will sign a short 10-day contract with Isaiah Thomas using the hardship exception. Thomas Jr. played 17 times for the Lakers in the 2017-18 regular season. In the 2020-21 regular season, Thomas Jr. played three times for the Pelicans, averaging 16.0 minutes per game, with 7.7 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
According to the Lakers' injury report released today, the Lakers will have as many as 7 players out of the Game tomorrow against the Timberwolves, namely Trevo Ariza (recovering from a right ankle injury), Kendrick Nunn (right kneecap injury), Tarren Horton Tucker, Dwight Howard, Malik Munch, Russell Westbrook, Avery Bradley (health and safety agreement).
So, who will the Lakers sign if they continue to use the second difficulty exception? Former Lakers veteran Stephenson may be a candidate worth considering. Stephenson currently plays for the Development League and Thomas Jr., where he contributed a triple-double of 18 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in the previous game.