EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- On the night the Los Angeles Lakers drafted D'Angelo Russell No. 2 overall this summer, coach Byron Scott called the point guard a potential "superstar" and spoke of him in the same breath as Magic Johnson.
But Scott hasn't committed to starting Russell in the Lakers' regular-season opener Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, even though the 19-year-old Russell has started five of the seven exhibition games that he has played in this preseason.
"I don't know that yet," Scott said when asked whether the promising former Ohio State standout would start in Wednesday's opener.
Scott did say that he knows who his other four starters will be, though: guards Kobe Bryant and Jordan Clarkson, forward Julius Randle and center Roy Hibbert. Scott also said he plans to maintain a rotation of nine to 10 players during games.
In terms of roles this season, Scott said he has spoken to almost every Laker.
"The veteran guys are pretty smart. They've been pretty much right on target," Scott said. "The young guys have been a little different. By the end of the day, everybody on this team will understand what their role is."
While Russell said he's not sure if he'll start Wednesday, he said he does have a clear understanding of his role.
"Just being a defensive, playmaking, energy-type guy," Russell said.
Russell elaborated on some of his discussions with Scott.
"I told [Scott] I thought my role was facilitating and be a playmaker," Russell said. "He said, 'That's what you do naturally, so I'm not going to label you that.' He was just saying, if I do all those other things [such as defense and rebounding] ... playmaking and decision-making, that stuff will come easier."
What does Russell want?
"I want to be on the floor when it matters," he said. "At this level, you've got to make do with whatever you get."
He also said that he understands his role now, which he didn't in preseason.
