3 Los Angeles Lakers who will lose the most minutes once team is healthy

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 08: Wesley Matthews #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after hitting a three point shot during the first half of the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on April 8, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 08: Wesley Matthews #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after hitting a three point shot during the first half of the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on April 8, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

1. Markieff Morris

Markieff Morris started the season off horribly but has used this time to his advantage. He is one of the players on the Los Angeles Lakers that has improved with the stars hurt and it started once Anthony Davis was injured.

Since LeBron was injured Morris is averaging 27.3 minutes per game, which is 7.1 minutes more than his season average. That season average was lower before AD got hurt as well as Morris was getting around 15 minutes a game with both AD and LeBron healthy.

Despite his strong play, his playing time will reflect that number once the stars return. Morris is someone who can get hot and hit some big shots form beoynd the arc (as he did in the NBA Playoffs last year) but that does not warrant a big increase in playing time.

This is even more true now that the Lakers added depth at the center position in Andre Drummond. There is no longer the need for Morris to play small-ball center off the bench.

Morris will lose around 12 minutes played per game once the team is fully healthy and in playoff mode, which is a shame considering he has taken this chance to improve his play from the beginning of the season. That is just the nature of the beast, though.