NBA Rumors: LA Lakers looking light in backcourt to start the season, Darvin Ham gives the latest on Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schroder

As the LA Lakers prepare for their season opener, recent rumors suggest that Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schroder could be questionable for the game. With Darvin Ham providing updates on the matter, the Lakers could be shorthanded from the get-go against the defending champions.

The Lakers saw a lot of changes to their roster in the offseason. While Russell Westbrook was expected to be one of the players who would be on their way out, the Purple and Gold saw the star return for another season.

Meanwhile, the Lakers also enjoyed a reunion with Dennis Schroder. Schroder, who was a standout performer during the 2022 EuroBasket tournament, garnered a lot of attention from teams around the league as a free agent.

While having the two back on the team definitely comes with some upside, the Purple and Gold will have to be patient.

Lakers head coach Darvin Ham provided an update on the injury status of the two players in a recent interview. He said:

"Dennis is day-to-day. He will undergo another evaluation this afternoon. So we'll know more tomorrow. Russell is day-to-day as well in terms of his hamstring. Dennis' might be a little more extensive, but we're waiting for the official word."

Westbrook sustained an injury during the Lakers' last preseason game against the Sacramento Kings. Leaving the game midway through, the LA Lakers immediately updated his injury status to day-to-day.

Meanwhile, Schroder sustained an injury to his thumb ligament. With some concern that the injury may be serious, the Lakers will look forward to reports from the evaluation.

Considering that the guard has already missed significant time in the preseason due to visa issues, the LA Lakers will have to be patient with regards to Schroder.

Given that Westbrook's injury is far less concerning, some sources expect the 9x All-Star to be available for the side for the season opener.

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The LA Lakers will continue to experiment with Russell Westbrook coming off the bench

Russell Westbrook warms up before a game

The LA Lakers reportedly plan to continue their experiment of having Russell Westbrook lead the second-unit of the bench. While this was seen only once in the preseason, the Purple and Gold are likely to continue their experiment in the upcoming regular-season games as well.

In theory, having Russell Westbrook come off the bench does have some merit. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis filling out the first unit, Westbrook is given free reign of the offense in the second unit.

This gives him the freedom to bring the ball up and play in a manner that is familiar to him, as opposed to settling into the role he has set out for him under Ham's system.

Ham has mentioned that this approach is less of a demotion and more of a "realignment". Unfortunately, the first go-around of this experiment could be viewed as incomplete as Westbrook only played five minutes before sustaining his injury against the Kings.

The LA Lakers will face off against the Golden State Warriors to begin their 2022-23 campaign. Having beaten the team in the preseason, the Lakers will hope to recreate their performance to start things off on a high note.