Theo Ratliff to Have Knee Surgery Today

The Lakers will embark on their three game road swing without the services of reserve center Theo Ratliff. The L.A. Times reports that the veteran big man is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee this morning.

Ratliff has been inactive recently and while his numbers don’t reflect his effectiveness the number of minutes logged by both Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom do. With an already thin front line, rookie Derrick Caracter will be called into action more often now.

There is no timetable established for Ratliff’s return. With Andrew Bynum still on the mend there is some concern for how the Lakers will fare in the coming weeks relying on a minimal rotation of big men.

Update: Mark Medina reports that Ratliff will be out for 4 to 6 weeks following surgery this morning.