The Los Angeles Lakers have been missing several players this season due to injury. Earlier in the year, star forward LeBron James missed the team’s first 14 games due to right sciatica. So far, James has played only six games in the 2025-26 NBA season. Even his co-star, Luka Doncic, has missed six regular-season games due to injury and a family matter.
One of the players who has missed extended time for LA has been guard Marcus Smart. Doncic’s backup has played in only 17 games and will miss his sixth straight action due to a left lumbar muscle strain. The team will face the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, and the team confirmed that Smart has been ruled out.
Ahead of their contest against the 76ers, coach JJ Redick was asked about Smart’s status. NBA reporter Mike Trudell reported on X (formerly Twitter), about the encouraging update on the veteran guard.
Redick told the media that the Lakers guard is progressing and could return to the lineup on Wednesday.
“We’re hoping he’s back Wednesday, but he’s still day to day,” the coach said.
JJ Redick on Marcus Smart, who’s progressing, but remains out tonight: “We’re hoping he’s back Wednesday, but he’s still day to day.”
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 7, 2025
LA will travel back to California after their bout against the 76ers. The team will host the San Antonio Spurs at the Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday as part of a one-game homestand. After that, they’re back on the road for a three-game trip.
Ramona Shelburne thinks it’s a no-brainer for the Lakers to trade Austin Reaves for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Things have started to become shaky between Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. There have been reports that Antetokounmpo’s representatives have begun discussing the star forward’s future in Milwaukee. The Bucks’ 10-15 record isn’t appealing, especially to the Greek Freak, who wants to contend for the NBA championship.
With the reports of Antetokounmpo’s future at stake, NBA insider Ramona Shelburne said that a potential trade with the Lakers is a no-brainer. On Friday’s episode of ESPN LA’s “Join The Debate!”, Shelburne raised the idea of trading away Austin Reaves. According to the insider, Antetokounmpo’s play style fits better compared to Reaves’.
“I think I would do this, I don’t think it’s too much of a choice. Can you think of a better complement to Luka?” Shelburne said. “He’d be a lob threat, Luka could find him, he’d get easy baskets. Defensively, he’d be a backstop for Luka; it’s kind of perfect. Yes, don’t think too hard.”
Reaves has emerged as one of the best players for LA, averaging 29.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists through 19 games. The 6-foot-5 guard’s improvement this season could be used as trade leverage. That is, if the Lakers want to pursue the Bucks star.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
