The Los Angeles Lakers have fallen short of adding new pieces to their roster this summer. Unable to lure any big-name free agent, they are set to run it back with last year’s squad. However, that has not been the case with the rest of their staff. After JJ Redick was hired, Jeanie Buss surrounded the head coach with a new and talented coaching staff. Buss recently hit another home run by adding a key member who helped the OKC Thunder top the West last season.

The Purple and Gold has hired Vanessa Brooks as their new head athletic trainer and senior physical therapist. The position became available earlier this month after the Lakers’ then-head athletic trainer, Roger Sancho, left the team for the Phoenix Suns. Sancho held the position for three years.

Vanessa had been working in OKC as the Thunder’s Physical Therapist-Athletic Trainer for the past five years. But she left her role earlier this year in July. This provided the perfect opportunity for the Lakers to add Brooks to their medical staff. Vanessa has also been a part-time member of the NBA Emergency Preparedness Committee since last year and continues to hold that position.

Moreover, she is not the first piece in the Lakers’ revamping of their medical staff. Just last month, Buss hired Dr. Leroy Sims as the team’s Director of Player Performance and Health. And together, Sims and Brooks will have a huge responsibility to keep the roster healthy in their title pursuit.

Vanessa Brooks’ transition from Oklahoma to LA could pose a massive challenge

With Brooks’ experience as a trainer and therapist, hiring her was a smart move by Jeanie. However, it could come with some major challenges for the new Head Athletic Trainer. During Brook’s time at the Thunder, she was responsible for taking care of the health of one of the youngest teams in the league. Last season, OKC had the second-youngest squad behind the Spurs. Sure enough, it means they did not have to worry a lot about players suffering from lingering injuries as younger players tend to get injured less often and recover fast.

However, the scenario with the Lakers will be different. LeBron James is the oldest active player in the league and Anthony Davis has history of frequent injuries. Brooks will likely need to be more careful about keeping the two superstars healthy and available. One thing certainly working in her favor is that both LeBron James and Anthony Davis are coming off highly healthy seasons, playing 71 and 76 games, respectively.

Meanwhile, key players including Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt are coming off major injuries that limited their play last season. So, Brooks also has that to worry about. Vanessa’s role with the Lakers is similar to what she had in OKC. However, she could face different challenges in LA.

Do you think she can overcome them and contribute to the team’s success? Let us know in the comments.