Jordan Hill makes a visit to Staples Center after hip surgery

Injured forward/center Jordan Hill made an appearance in the Lakers’ locker room at Staples Center after the team’s 105-96 victory over Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Hill was all smiles as he hobbled around on forearm crutches, chatting with Dwight Howard and other teammates.

Considering Hill underwent surgery in Nashville on Wednesday to remove loose fragments from his left hip and repair a torn labrum, he seemed surprisingly able. He also underwent a micro-fracture procedure to help repair damaged cartilage.

The Lakers have applied for a disabled-player exception, which General Manager Mitch Kupchak acknowledged Sunday is still under consideration by the NBA. The exception would give the Lakers $1.78 million to $1.88 million in additional spending power (via free agency or trade).

Kupchak noted that the league was going through Hill’s post-surgery records, doing its due diligence.

Hill must be ruled out until at least June 15 to qualify. He and the Lakers say he’s out for six months, but the league has to agree with that prognosis.

The Lakers are likely to get the exception but there’s no guarantee they use it, given their $130-million payroll (including tax).

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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.