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3 Lakers that could get axed from Darvin Ham’s playoff rotation

By Jason Reed

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 02: Darvin Ham the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 02, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 02: Darvin Ham the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 02, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to climb the Western Conference ladder and thus far, the team has been able to do just that. At the time of writing the Lakers are the ninth seed in the Western Conference and have a favorable schedule in front of them.

There is more work to be done as the Lakers would be in a much better situation if they were the seventh or eighth seed in the West to get the added bonus of getting two shots in the play-in. Getting to the sixth seed to avoid the play-in is the ultimate goal for LA.

Regardless, the playoffs seem like a very real thing for the Lake Show suddenly and Darvin Ham is going to have to put out his best 8-9 man rotation in the playoffs to win games. Naturally, this is going to leave some players that are currently in the rotation out.

3 Lakers that could get axed from Darvin Ham’s playoff rotation:

These are players that are actually part of the rotation in the regular season. Max Christie or Davon Reed obviously are not going to make the cut.

Mo Bamba Lakers
(Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) – Mo Bamba Lakers /

3. Mo Bamba

The Los Angeles Lakers traded for Mo Bamba at the NBA trade deadline and it looked like the team got its discount version of Myles Turner. While Bamba is not as good as Turner, he had the same ability to stretch the floor on offense while protecting the rim on defense.

Mamba’s tenure in LA has been odd thus far. There are games in which Darvin Ham deploys him for 20+ minutes and he plays well then there are games in which he does not play at all. Right now, he is resting an ankle injury he suffered against the Golden State Warriors.

Bamba’s role in the playoffs might end up being totally situational. Against teams like the Denver Nuggets when the Lakers need a body to throw at Nikola Jokic they could play Bamba more. However, against a smaller team that is more athletic, we might not see Bamba get playing time.

That being said, Mamba does have a better chance of being part of the playoff rotation than another big on the Lakers roster.

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