Markieff

Morris

After sitting out Thursday’s loss to the Bucks, Finney-Smith and Vanderbilt will return to the Lakers’ rotation. Their returns mean Markieff Morris will likely fall out of the rotation entirely, which does not impact fantasy basketball.

Both forwards are expected to be back after missing Thursday’s game against Milwaukee. The Lakers were without six key rotation pieces for that game on the second night of a back-to-back. Markieff Morris should be bumped back out of the rotation with DFS and Vanderbilt expected back.

The only typical starter that will be available for the Lakers in this game is Hayes. They are incredibly shorthanded on the second night of this back-to-back after beating Denver on Wednesday. Vincent, Knecht and Morris are the new faces in the starting lineup for the Lakers on Thursday.

Both forwards were initially doubtful, so it isn’t surprising that they’ve been ruled out. Markieff Morris will get the start in place of DFS, but Cam Reddish should also make a return to the rotation for the shorthanded Lakers.

Both forwards are expected to be sidelined for the second leg of the Lakers’ back-to-back. Cam Reddish and Markieff Morris are both candidates to return to the rotation, but at this point, everyone available for the Lakers should play a ton of minutes.

Morris’ absence will not impact fantasy basketball, as he is not in the Lakers’ rotation when healthy.

Vanderbilt has not played both games of a back-to-back since making his season debut on January 25, so his absence is unsurprising. Jaxson Hayes and Alex Len, who combined to play 28 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Hornets, may play a bit more. The former is worth rostering in deep leagues because he is the starting center. Markieff Morris may move into the back end of the rotation, but he would not be worth rostering in fantasy leagues.

DFS was sidelined for the Lakers’ final game before the All-Star break. His absence lined up with Dalton Knecht’s return to the rotation after a rescinded trade nearly sent him to Charlotte. With both DFS and Knecht healthy, Jarred Vanderbilt and Markieff Morris will lose out on a few minutes.

In one of the most shocking transactions in NBA history, the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Morris to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2025 first-round pick. Utah received Jalen Hood-Schifino and two 2025 second-round picks (one from Dallas and one from the Clippers). Morris wasn’t in the rotation while in Dallas, and that’s unlikely to change in Los Angeles. There’s no need to consider adding him in any fantasy league.

Morris’ return will not impact fantasy basketball, as he is not in the Mavericks’ regular rotation when healthy.