Los Angeles Lakers hybrid guard Josh Hart will take Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's place in the starting lineup against the Denver Nuggets for their second preseason game, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. The change comes soon after Caldwell-Pope went a horrid 0-for-5 in the first preseason game of the year on Sunday.
Head coach Luke Walton will continue to try out different lineups throughout the season, which could give Hart the opportunity for not only some solid minutes in the rotation but a potential starting spot if he proves to jell with this unit.
Caldwell-Pope had no field goals during his 21-minute stint on the floor, missing all five, including four 3-pointers, only cashing in from the line with a pair of free throws.
The Lakers really needed their starting backcourt to pick up the pace, getting only a combined four points from him and point guard Rajon Rondo, all while Jamal Murray carved out the Lakers' defense for 18 points in 19 minutes, shooting a blistering 8-of-12 from the floor, including 2-of-3 from distance.
While Caldwell-Pope had four fouls in his 21 minutes on the floor, Hart made the most of his 24 by putting up seven points, two rebounds, a steal and two blocks while getting the worst end of a 124-107 loss with the second unit.
If Hart can put together his shooting stroke with his activity on the defensive end, he could be making a case for a starting spot, like president Magic Johnson said early in the offseason.
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