The Lakers are worried that forward Luke Walton will miss the 2010-11 season due to health issues.

Walton was limited to a career-low 29 games during the 2009-10 regular season because of back problems debilitating enough to require surgery.

Los Angeles general manager Mitch Kupchak says that Walton will work through the summer to rehabilitate and build strength in his back but acknowledged the prospect of future surgery still exists.

"Absolutely. It's a possibility," Kupchak said. "It's not your run of the mill type back problem. We don't know where it's going to end up. He's a gamer and he loves to play. He wants to be a part of the team, and he'll do whatever it takes to get back on the court. That's a positive, to have the kind of player that's motivated to get well. That's not always the case."