Rookies Sticking Around

A lack of healthy Lakers could keep rookies Andrew Bynum, Von Wafer and Devin Green with the big club longer than expected.

All three are eligible to be sent down to the Development League, which begins its season today, but the Lakers need as many bodies as possible, with Slava Medvedenko sidelined for about six weeks because of a herniated disk and Luke Walton sidelined indefinitely because of a strained hip flexor.

The Lakers can send two players at a time to their Fort Worth affiliate, but it’s unlikely anything will happen soon.

“Physically, we’re not at 100%. We’re just supporting ourselves, barely,” Coach Phil Jackson said. “You’re just one step away from somebody else injured and then you have to have a call-up [from Fort Worth]. We want to make that for real if we send someone down there.”

The Development League regular season ends April 9, about a week before the NBA season ends.

Bynum has not scored and has six rebounds in 27 minutes. Green is averaging 1.3 points in three games. Wafer has been on the inactive list every game.

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TONIGHT

vs. Clippers, 7:30, FSN West, Ch. 5

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 570, 1150, 1330.

Records -- Lakers 4-4, Clippers 6-2.

Record vs. Clippers (2004-05) -- 2-2.

Update -- The Clippers are off to the best start in franchise history. The Lakers are off to the same start as last season. Kobe Bryant is averaging 31.4 points, second-highest in the league, but there’s a big drop-off after that to Lamar Odom (14.4 points). The Clippers are getting more balanced scoring: Elton Brand is averaging 23.3 points, followed by Corey Maggette (19.5 points), Cuttino Mobley (16.3 points) and Sam Cassell (15.5 points).

Tickets -- (800) 462-2849 or ticketmaster.com.