Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking the injured rotation players by impact

By Jason Reed | Nov 8, 2021

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 03: Wayne Ellington #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the start of a pre-season game against the Brooklyn Nets at Staples Center on October 3, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Kendrick Nunn

Kendrick Nunn did appear in the preseason for the Los Angeles Lakers but has not yet appeared in the regular season. The Lakers reportedly do not expect Kendrick Nunn to return any time soon, so the timeline for a Nunn debut in the purple and gold is questionable.

You could make the case that Nunn should be lower on this list as he is not that great defensively either. However, he still has more impact on the team than someone like Ellington, who only provides the team with another catch-and-shoot option.

Nunn is the team’s second point guard and is going to help operate the offense when Russell Westbrook and LeBron James are off the court. Even more importantly, Nunn can be an off-ball threat at well, giving him more versatility to play with Westbrook or LeBron.

Right now Rajon Rondo is playing that role and while Rondo is great for depth and playoff Rondo will always be a possibility he isn’t playing well at all in the regular season. Rondo was meant to be the Lakers’ 13th man in the rotation, not be the team’s main playmaker with Westbrook off the court and LeBron hurt.

Nunn returning will be a boost just because he will improve from Rondo. While his defense is questionable, the way he will boost the depth of the team will be very impactful.

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