Coach Byron Scott said Nance could make some starts at small forward over the Lakers' final 13 games of the season.

Coach Byron Scott said Nance could make some starts at small forward over the Lakers' final 13 games of the season.

Analysis:

Scott has primarily been using Nance in tandem with Julius Randle at power forward this season, but the 6-foot-9 rookie is among the more athletic players on the team, and shouldn't have too much difficulty defending opposing small forwards when called upon. At this stage in his development, Nance's perimeter game remains a little more underdeveloped, but with the lottery-bound Lakers likely viewing none of Metta World Peace, Nick Young, or Ryan Kelly the team's small forward of the future, Nance should be first in line for starting opportunities at the position the rest of the way on days when Kobe Bryant is too banged up to play.