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Golden State Warriors to get first look at revamped Los Angeles Lakers

By Peter O'Keefe

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after he is fouled by Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during a 115-113 Warriors win on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Staples Center on January 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after he is fouled by Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during a 115-113 Warriors win on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Staples Center on January 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors will get the first opportunity to see the new-look Los Angeles Lakers when the teams’ meet at Chase Center on Saturday.

Los Angeles have been busy retooling an underwhelming roster over the past fortnight. They first acquired former top ten pick Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards, before a blockbuster eight-player trade on Wednesday saw them land D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt for future hall of famer Russell Westbrook and a top four protected future first-round pick. They were also active in the final hours before the deadline on Thursday, making two separate deals that saw Patrick Beverley and Thomas Bryant head out for Mohamed Bamba and Davon Reed.

D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt are all expected to make their Los Angeles Lakers debut against the Golden State Warriors.

None of Beasley, Vanderbilt, Reed and Russell are listed on the injury report for Saturday, with the latter expected to begin his second stint with the team that originally drafted him at number two overall in the 2015 draft. Russell also returns to a familiar floor after his short stint with the Warriors in the first-half of the 2019-20 season. Bamba is currently serving a suspension for an on-floor altercation with Austin Rivers last week.

Lakers’ superstar LeBron James is out as he continues to manage an ankle injury. It’ll be James’ second straight absence having passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record for all-time points leader on Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Fellow star Anthony Davis is ‘probable’ as he continues to manage the foot injury that kept him out for a significant period earlier in the season.

LeBron James’ historic basket against the Thunder on Tuesday. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LeBron James’ historic basket against the Thunder on Tuesday. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

The Warriors will remain without veterans Stephen Curry and Andre Iguodala, while rookie Ryan Rollins underwent season-ending surgery earlier in the week. Gary Payton II is listed out as ‘trade pending’ on Golden State’s injury report, with a cloud hanging over the four-team trade made on deadline day.

It’s a big clash for both teams who’ve each delivered disappointing seasons to date. Coming off another fourth-quarter crumble against the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State are currently a play-in team at 28-27 and seventh in the West. The Lakers are 13th at 25-31, leaving the question of whether their new arrivals can turn things around quickly enough to avoid a second-straight postseason absence.

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The Warriors retain an imposing 21-6 on their home floor, with the Lakers 12-17 on the road this season. Having met on the first night of the season in October, this will be the first of three meetings between the two teams over the next month.

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