Anthony Brown moves in to Lakers starting lineup; Russell, Huertas, Bass still out

D'Angelo Russell was already listed as doubtful for the Los Angeles Lakers' Sunday preseason exhibition against Maccabi Haifa, and it seems the team will be playing things safe with their recent lottery pick. The Lakers announced Sunday morning that Russell will be held out of the game, along with his fellow "rookie" point guard, 32-year old Marcelo Huertas, who is still dealing with a strained right hamstring. Veteran forward Brandon Bass will also sit out of tonight's contest while rehabbing from a left patella contusion.

Replacing Russell in the starting lineup will be his fellow rookie Anthony Brown, the Lakers second round pick this season (34th overall). Brown (a sharpshooting small forward out of Stanford and Southern California native) getting the nod among the first five would imply that Kobe Bryant will slide back to his normal position at shooting guard with Jordan Clarkson taking over Russell's ballhandling duties.

The bruised glute Russell suffered attempting to block Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert has certainly been persistent, but until the Lakers announce more they are likely just being extra cautious with their second overall pick.