Huge expectations have been bestowed upon the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason with many believing they could get themselves back into the playoffs.

The Lakers' postseason revival is expected to be lead by newest arrival LeBron James alongside a mixture of veterans that were signed this summer and the young core already at the team.

One player that was expected to be a part of that mix is Lonzo Ball. However, he might not be in line to start straight away.

According to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk, Lakers head coach Luke Walton stated that Ball will not participate in full-contact practice when the Lakers open training camp next week.

He said: "He will be in camp participating. He won't be doing full 5-on-5 contact at camp, at the start of camp.

"So we're starting to ease him into it again, play some one-on-one, things like that, half-court stuff.

"But with a player of his ability, and how much he's gonna be a part of our future, the conversation is ... take as much time as you need to make sure he's healthy. We won't rush him back at all."

Ball played in 52 games last season but missed the final eight games with a knee contusion.

He had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in mid-July. Back then, the Lakers stated that their point guard would be fully recovered by the start of training camp, but that doesn't look to be the case.

The second-year player has taken part in individual drills, but he hasn't been seen in any scrimmages hosted by the team.

When Ball is fit enough to return and compete for the starting point guard spot at the Lakers, he will go up against Rajon Rondo for a spot on the court.

In the 2017-18 season, the former number two overall pick averaged 10.2 points, 7.2 assists and 6.9 rebounds per contest while shooting 36 percent. He also earned himself NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors.

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