The Los Angeles Lakers surprised a few people when they decided to select D'Angelo Russell with the second overall pick instead of Jahlil Okafor. The Lakers are clearly very high on the 19 year old combo guard and think he can be a future superstar but just because they have high hopes for him doesn't mean he is guaranteed a starting spot right away as a rookie, according to Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has made it clear that Russell will get playing time from the outset this season he just isn't sure whether those minutes will come off the bench or in the starting lineup. At this point it seems like Jordan Clarkson, First team All-Rookie a year ago, is a lock to start at point guard for the Lakers but that doesn't mean Russell doesn't have a shot to start as the shooting guard.
Kupchak said that the Lakers drafted Russell with the idea in mind that he and Clarkson would be able to play together and they certainly should be able to. Clarkson is more of a score first point guard while Russell is more of a passing, do-it-all type of point guard so they should be able to play off each other well.
The thought earlier this offseason was that Russell and Clarkson would comprise the starting backcourt while Kobe Bryant starts at the the three but the Lakers have so many options that is far from a lock. Lou Williams, Nick Young and Metta World Peace are also all in the mix along with other players so Russell is really going to have to earn a starting spot.
The 6 foot-5 guard was the best player in college basketball a season ago with Ohio State averaging more than 19 points, five rebounds and five assists per game but he struggled in summer league with turnovers. Russell has a great chance to be a very good NBA player and is still likely the favorite to earn a starting spot but it is not a guarantee and it shouldn't be as they have plenty of capable guards who can fill that role. One thing we do know for sure is that Russell will get enough playing time to show what he can do when the regular season begins whether that's off the bench or starting.
