The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly ready to kick off the new season with a youthful backcourt composed of sophomore sensation Jordan Clarkson and 2015 no. 2 overall pick D'Angelo Russell as resident superstar Kobe Bryant had agreed to slide to the small forward spot in Byron Scott's starting lineup.
Bryant, who will be playing his 20th season in the league, reportedly practiced at the no. 3 position all throughout the Lakers recent training camp in Honolulu with Clarkson and Russell sharing guard duties, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
He is said to be amenable with Scott's decision and even said that the move is to his advantage in the long run.
"I don't have to handle the ball really at all, which leaves more time to catch and shoot. Makes my job a lot easier," the five-time NBA champion said.
It was noticeable that he did not have much time with the ball during the open-media practice as the two young guns had it most of the time, still the 37-year-old 17-time All-Star surprisingly expressed optimism about the whole thing.
"I don't think it matters. You just play the flow of the game and see what comes," Bryant said with a grin.
Sports World Report indicated that there was "a lot of doubt" given to the young duo mostly because of their inexperience, but Bryant had already expressed confidence in them this early in the preseason. The Lakers are also said to be "content to move forward" with both guys as the team's starting guards.
"He has my trust already because he's a gym rat," said Bryant of Russell, as per the Los Angeles Daily News. "He loves playing the game. I trust that whatever challenges are presented to him, he'll figure them out."