Caracter underwent surgery on Dec. 14 to remove part of a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee. He injured the left knee two weeks before training camp started, which left the Lakers’ front-court without much support.
The Lakers have not been playing to the level they are accustomed to in 2011-12 and as a result the starters are forced to play more minutes in hopes of getting the offense going. Although Caracter does not bring much to the table for the Lakers, having a body on the floor will give Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum more time on the bench.
Derrick Caracter has spent time in the D-League, and this will be his third stint in the minor league. He twice played for the Bakersfield Jam and averaged 8.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.