When will the Lakers get their point guards back?
Injuries have decimated the Lakers at the point: Kobe Bryant (knee), Steve Blake (elbow), Steve Nash (back) and Jordan Farmar (hamstring) are all sidelined.
On Thursday, the Lakers reached an agreement with free-agent point guard Kendall Marshall, giving the team an option at the position (in addition to Xavier Henry, who will continue to play out of position at the one).
When will the Lakers get help?
Marshall hasn’t officially signed but could be available as early as Friday night, when the Lakers host the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Farmar is the closest to returning from injury. He’s to be reevaluated on Dec. 24, which could open the door for a Christmas Day return against the Miami Heat.
However, he may need practice time to test his hamstring, which might delay him getting into a game until Dec. 27, when the Lakers visit the Utah Jazz.
Nash is to be reevaluated in four weeks, but the veteran point guard may need significant practice time to be cleared to play.
Given that the Lakers will be on the road until Jan. 26, five weeks may be more realistic for Nash, when the Indiana Pacers come to L.A. on Jan. 28.
That’s assuming that Nash is given the green light in that timeframe. He could easily use another month or even longer to recover.
Blake is a week into his scheduled six-week recovery, which would suggest that he’ll also be out until the Pacers come to Staples Canter, given the Lakers’ travel schedule.
Bryant is out for six weeks, which suggests a Jan. 31 return at Staples Center against the Charlotte Bobcats.
Farmar will probably be back after missing the next three or four games. Blake could miss around 20, Bryant 21.
Nash is a wild card; his return time is unpredictable.
The Lakers play six of the next nine games at home but then hit the road for 10 of the next 11.
Through 25 games, the Lakers are 12-13 -- splitting 12 at home and winning six of 13 on the road.
ALSO:
Kobe Bryant out six weeks with a knee fracture
Lakers agree to terms with point guard Kendall Marshall
Steve Nash still at least a month away from return for Lakers
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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