The Lakers got some encouraging injury news on Thursday as JJ Redick offered updates on several rotation players with the final preseason game just around the corner.
Collin Sexton, who has been dealing with a lower-leg injury, is “trending in the right direction,” according to Redick, though he still did not take part in full practice. Instead, Sexton was seen doing light drill work after practice, with tape along his lower right leg.
The early setback has been something to watch for a while, but the expectation remains that he can still be a steady part of the rotation. His career averages sit at 18.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game on 47.2% shooting.
Ziaire Williams and Adou Thiero were in a better spot. Williams, who is working back from a left foot contusion, and Thiero, who was listed for maintenance, were both full participants in practice.
That means they were involved without restriction, a good sign that both are nearing the finish line in their recovery and could be ready for opening night. Williams, at 6’9″ and 185 pounds, is a candidate for the final starting spot, so his availability could matter right away.
The one player still carrying the most uncertainty is Cameron Carr. The rookie flashed some positive signs in Summer League, but he did not practice on Thursday and there was no timeline given for his return. He is not expected to play a major role in the rotation, but the Lakers are already dealing with enough early-season injury issues that every available body matters.
Los Angeles has split its first four preseason games and now has one more chance to clean things up before the regular season begins. The bigger target is opening night against the Warriors at the Crypto.com Arena, and the Lakers would love to have everyone ready for that one. Redick is expected to take the cautious route in the preseason, though Williams or Thiero could still see minutes if they’re cleared.
With the season carrying so much weight, the Lakers have little interest in pushing anyone too hard too soon. The injuries have to be managed carefully, even if that means limiting workloads. The good news is that the team should have enough depth to get through the early stretch, though some growing pains are still possible as players work themselves back into rhythm.
In Other News...
Lakers Roster Battle Just Got Tighter Before Opening Night
The Lakers push to trim their roster is moving into the final stretch, and the latest change came with a familiar kind of preseason churn. Los Angeles waived forward Cole Swider and signed guard Jahmir Young as it continues to cut down toward the 15-player limit before the 2026-27 NBA regular season. Young had already been on the organizations radar after being acquired by the Coachella Valley Lakers, and he arrives off a strong season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
For a team still sorting out the back end of the roster, these decisions matter beyond the transaction wire. Los Angeles is expected to make more moves before its preseason finale and regular season opener, so this latest swap is part of a bigger picture rather than a one-off change. The Lakers are still weighing who fits, who sticks and how much room is left for the next player to make a case. [Read more 🡒]
Lakers Final Roster Crunch Just Clarified One Preseason Battle
Several NBA teams trimmed their camps on Oct. 14 as the league-wide roster crunch came into sharper focus ahead of the Oct. 19 deadline. For the Lakers, the moves were part of the normal late-preseason sorting that comes every year, but they still carried weight for players trying to survive the final cut to a 15-man regular-season roster.
Los Angeles waived Cole Swider and Jahmir Young, closing another chapter in a camp that has steadily narrowed to the names the Lakers plan to keep evaluating. Both players are likely headed toward G League opportunities or another landing spot, and their exits help clarify one of the last preseason battles as the Lakers settle the edges of the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Lakers Make Another Late Roster Move Worth Watching
The Lakers added another name to the roster mix ahead of opening night, signing forward Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones to an Exhibit 10 contract as they continue sorting through the final spots on a crowded group. Tait-Jones arrives with some recent momentum, having played for Valmiera Glass VIA in the Estonian-Latvian Basketball League and earned Finals MVP honors there.
Los Angeles is still above the standard player limit, so moves like this carry more roster significance than they might in a quieter stretch of the calendar. The Lakers have already waived players such as Jahmir Young and Cole Swider in recent weeks, and Tait-Jones now becomes another player worth tracking as the team keeps trimming and shaping the roster before the deadline. [Read more 🡒]