The Lakers do not expect unrestricted free agent Theo Ratliff back this season.

It's telling that a team in need of cheap veterans is not bringing him back, but we suppose he could latch on somewhere else. It's entirely possible we've seen his last NBA game.

In his first action since last November, Theo Ratliff missed two free throws in the one minute he played.

He is on the roster only as an emergency back up for the Lakers frontline.

Theo Ratliff is on the Laker's active roster for Thursday and will be in uniform against the Mavericks.

If he plays, it will be in a very limited role as the Lakers are looking to solidify the rotation in preparation for the playoffs.

Theo Ratliff (knee) was a praticipant in team scrimmages in Wednesday's practice.

The Lakers are hoping to get Ratliff on the floor in time for the playoffs. He's getting closer to a return but he's only going to get token minutes before the end of the regular season.

Theo Ratliff (knee) had his first workout with team doctors on Monday suggesting that he's getting closer to a return.

"It's coming along," said Ratliff. "I was on the floor doing some things, feeling pretty good, feeling pretty confident." Ratliff is hoping to get back into the lineup in time to qualify for the playoff roster.

Theo Ratliff (knee) had a setback and now must be monitored to see "if he's going to play at all" this season.

The veteran center had returned to practice, but there was an "irritant" that has caused the health of his knee to deteriorate.

Theo Ratliff (knee surgery) went through a full practice on Sunday for the first time since injuring his left knee in early November.

There is still no firm return date for the Lakers' 37-year-old center. Even when fully healthy he won't have fantasy significance.

As expected, Theo Ratliff (knee) returned to practice Sunday for the Lakers.

Ratliff does nothing more than provide a breather for the Lakers front court players. This shouldn't register on anyone's fantasy radar.

Theo Ratliff (knee) is targeting Jan. 23 for his return to practice.

Ratliff has begun to do conditioning work. The veteran defensive presence will eventually provide insurance against another Andrew Bynum injury.

Theo Ratliff suffered a setback after working out his surgically repaired knee, and his timetable for return is unknown at this time as a result.

"We did some work with him [Friday] on both the treadmill and the [elliptical machine] and he had some swelling [Saturday] and so we backed off," Jackson said. "We just wanted to see how far he could go. So, we'll back off. That just tells us a little bit about what his activity level has to be now." Normally this wouldn't matter too much, but with the Lakers' frontcourt banged up they could use him back.

Theo Ratliff (knee) was using an elliptical machine on Friday and could be within two weeks of a return.

Ratliff doesn't have fantasy value, but his ability to spell the Lakers' frontcourt is essential to keeping Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom fresh for the playoffs.

Theo Ratliff underwent successful knee surgery on Tuesday, and is expected to be out a minimum of 4-6 weeks.

He has no real value in fantasy leagues before the surgery, and by the time he gets back Andrew Bynum will have returned and made him even more irrelevant.

Theo Ratliff (arthroscopic knee surgery) is expected to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks.

By the time Ratliff gets back, Andrew Bynum (knee) should be in midseason form. That will leave Ratliff, 37, inactive on most nights.

Theo Ratliff will have arthroscopic surgery on his sore left knee, and no timetable for his return has been announced.

He does more to impact the Lakers' non-existent depth in their frontcourt than he does to impact fantasy leagues with this news. Until Andrew Bynum (knee) returns, expect Pau Gasol to get as minutes as his body can handle.

Theo Ratliff will have an MRI on his sore left knee on Sunday.

So much for Ratliff being healthy. Phil Jackson has been calling the injury tendinitis but apparently there might be more going on than simple soreness. We should know more in a day or two, though regardless of the outcome Ratliff isn't a viable fantasy option.

Theo Ratliff (knee) suited up for the Lakers on Sunday and was available to play, but he didn't enter the game.

Ratliff wouldn't have been an asset for L.A. tonight anyway -- what the Lakers needed was perimeter defense. We're taking him off the injured list, as it seems his knee is healthy.

Theo Ratfliff (knee) and Luke Walton (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday.

Both are day-to-day with their injuries, and neither of their absences will have an impact on fantasy leagues.

Theo Ratliff (sore left knee) sat out the Lakers' exhibition on Friday as a precaution.

The veteran big man will backup Pau Gasol until Andrew Bynum returns, at which point his role in the rotation should dwindle even further. He's a defensive presence and a solid rebounder, but won't offer fantasy value.

Theo Ratliff was brought in to back up Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol at center and may also log minutes at power forward. He also has the versatility to play alongside both of the talented Lakers big men if needed.

Ratliff hasn't played more than 50 games in a season since 2005-06, but the Lakers are hoping he can contribute as a defensive stopper in short stretches. He is replacing DJ Mbenga, and will join Steve Blake and Matt Barnes as new role players on the Lakers this year.

The Lakers are expected to sign veteran big man Theo Ratliff to a one-year deal worth $1.3 million.

Ratliff is 37 years old but can still produce in limited minutes, mainly through rebounding and shot-blocking.