After running on an altered-gravity treadmill Friday in further progression from left hip surgery, Jordan Hill will be cleared for basketball activities next week and elevate his conditioning to the point where he can return to the Los Angeles Lakers, agent Kevin Bradbury told RealGM.
Hill was evaluated by his doctor this week to determine the timetable for a return, and he showed he was ready to be cleared for running and jumping drills. All along, the Lakers’ training staff has been impressed by Hill’s progress, diligence and attack in rehabilitating a hip injury that was believed to have ended his season.
Once Hill resumes basketball drills in the coming week, it “will just be a matter of basketball shape and when he can go,” Bradbury said. The Lakers currently hold the eighth seed in the Western Conference, one game ahead of the Utah Jazz.
Hill established himself as an integral reserve for the Lakers a year ago and had continued his development this season. The fourth-year forward averaged 6.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in 29 games before the hip injury, and his Lakers teammates – headlined by Kobe Bryant – have made clear how vital Hill is to their defense and rebounding.