West Notes: Lakers, LeBron James, Suns, Rockets

Lakers

While injured big man Anthony Davis is undoubtedly missed on offense, the Lakers are likely missing him on defense just as much. Just ask fellow star forward LeBron James.

“We’re already a team without a lot of length and not a lot of size,” James said, via Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register. “And you lose a 6-11 guy with a 7-6 wingspan, 7-7 wingspan, I mean, it’s self-explanatory, so it’s not like it’s rocket science.”

• Point guard Russell Westbrook is listed as probable to return for Friday’s game against the Hornets, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line. Westbrook has missed the past two games with left foot soreness.
• James, who has been experiencing a sore left ankle, is also expected to play.

Suns

• Star guard Devin Booker (hamstring) has been ruled out for a third straight game on Friday, per Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. Point guard Cameron Payne (foot) is also out.
• The NBA still has to approve Mat Ishbia as the Suns’ new owner, as well as the terms of the purchase, wrote Jeremy Cluff of the Arizona Republic in a detailed look at Ishbia. We have more here.
• In case you missed, one rival GM has outwardly questioned Jae Crowder‘s holdout. “You’re not that good, bro,” the GM said, as we relayed in the full post here.
• The Wizards reportedly made a trade offer for Crowder. You can check out details here.

Rockets

General manager Rafael Stone said there’s a reason the Rockets sent rookie point guard TyTy Washington to the G League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers to rehabilitate a left knee sprain — and it was for more reasons than just rehab.

“Part of [the thinking behind sending Washington to the Vipers] was he just had to get back into basketball shape, which he did,” Stone said, via Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. “But also, just to get used to the speed of the game and physicality, I think it helped. He is still going through that. You could see moments in the first couple games he got a little shocked by some of the speed and physicality, but every rookie does… He has an extraordinarily high basketball IQ.”

• Opposing teams think the Rockets will eventually trade small forward K.J. Martin, as relayed by Ben DuBose of USA Today.