Lakers centre Vlade Divac's ill-fated return to Los Angeles has further hit by news that he needs back surgery and will be out for 12 weeks.
Lakers coach Rudy Tomjanovich said: "It's a tough thing, but it happens. He was part of our plans but it just never materialised.
"We were hoping to use that passing to get some lay-ups."
Divac went on the injured list on 1 November with a herniated disk in his lower back.
He returned three weeks later but played just 37 minutes over eight games.
Divac also had surgery to repair a herniated disk in November 1991, his third season in the league.
Divac, who turns 37 next month, spent his first seven seasons with the Lakers and the past six with Sacramento. He rejoined Los Angeles in the off-season.
Tomjanovich said not having Divac could mean more minutes for Slava Medvedenko. "I think the guy deserves to start playing," he said.
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