Saturday, the expectation was that both Rui Hachimura and Jared Vanderbilt would be in the lineup to face the Rockets at the Crypt. Turns out, only Vando returned and we'll all have to wait until Tuesday to see Rob Pelinka's vision as whole as it probably will be for the time being (because Gabe Vincent... we're not talking about him right now...)

So with Hachimura, Vanderbilt and Cam Reddish, along with a more-productive-than-anticipated Cam Reddish, plus an increasingly confident Max Christie and a version of Taurean Prince who looks to have repaired his 3-point shot, suddenly Darvin Ham has an almost absurd buffet of wings from which to form a rotation.

So whose minutes might get squeezed?

Obviously, some of this is matchup dependent, but in the end it could be all the bigs not named Anthony or Davis. But more than that, how Ham puts these guys together will be fascinating to see, and will require some experimentation. Reddish and Vanderbilt would be a problem defensively for the opposition, and create real spacing issues for the Lakers offense. Could Christie serve as a good bridge to help play those guys while still spacing the floor (he's over 45% in his last 5 games from downtown).

The team's supporting cast is operating a lot like a natural ecosystem. One part has a tremendous impact on another. Take away the bees, and you have problems eventually with the giraffes. When the Lakers are short on the full range of participants, it limits the capabilities of the guys that are remaining. Pair them in the right symbiotic combinations, though, and the ecosystem can thrive!

Fingers crossed guys stay healthy long enough for Ham to learn what he needs to learn.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Vanderbilt returned Saturday. Impressions?

SEGMENT 2: The Lakers have an ecosystem for a supporting cast, and it's time to see how it operates when healthy.

SEGMENT 3: Is Christie a bridge to what Schroder used to provide?

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