Lakers News: Latest on Metta World Peace, Jose Calderon Injury and More

Having one of the most difficult sets of decisions to make ahead of Monday’s 5 p.m. ET deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers have taken their time figuring out how to trim down the roster.

Last year’s putrid performance has the current roster sitting on an odd balance of young and veteran talent. Budding players such as D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram find themselves offset by the unknown futures of veterans such as Nick Young and Metta World Peace.

Two over the roster limit, the Lakers ran right up to the deadline. The latest talk around the franchise suggests a few different ways the front office could have gone and how the coaching staff might employ the pared-down roster.

Injury Updates

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First and foremost, having a healthy roster would be nice.

Veteran point guard Jose Calderon, who came over from the New York Knicks, has dealt with a calf injury as of late. According to Mark Medina of the Orange County Register, he should be a go for the opener: “Lakers guard Jose Calderon has sat for the past week (left calf), but is expected to return for the season opener against Houston.”

An important depth piece behind Russell, Calderon will continue to battle Marcelo Huertas for playing time in the rotation.

Also of note is the return of center Timofey Mozgov, the big free-agent signing over the offseason, to practice. The Lakers have taken their time working him back into things, given he has appeared in only one 82-game season since entering the league in 2010.

By the sounds of it, the Lakers will have the necessary pieces in place for the season opener, though the final construction of the roster and lineup isn’t clear.

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