Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott officially announced a change to the starting lineup, effective for Tuesday’s game in Oklahoma City against the Thunder. Jeremy Lin will start alongside Jordan Clarkson, with Wes Johnson at the three, Ryan Kelly at the four and rookie Tarik Black at the five.
Scott said inserting Lin into the starting lineup did not have anything to do with his season-high performance against Philadelphia, but that it was something he was planning to do regardless. Scott also added that having Lin in the starting lineup, alongside Clarkson, may actually help to slow Clarkson’s game down. With both point guards in the starting lineup, Scott also said he plans to stagger the rotation so that either Lin or Clarkson is on the floor at all times.
— Think You Know Everything About Kobe Bryant? Take The Ultimate Kobe Quiz! —
Scott was also asked whether retaining Lin in free agency this summer is something the Lakers will be looking at. Scott said him and Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss will have a lot of players to sit down and discuss after the season, and Lin will be in that category of discussion.
He’s had his ups and downs this year, but he’s definitely an NBA player, we all know that. It’s just a matter of what happens in the draft and everything else that kind of determines what we’re going to do in the free agent market.”
Lin’s $14.9 million dollar salary will come off the books at the end of the season and the point guard will have the opportunity to explore his options in the free agent market.
Scott will not travel with the team to Oklahoma City or Minnesota, as he will be attending his mother’s funeral. Paul Pressey will serve as head coach in his absence and Scott is expected to rejoin the team for Friday’s game against the Toronto Raptors.
[divide]VIDEO: Jeremy Lin Named A Starter