Now, It’s Bryant the Shooting Guard

Opportunity knocks again for Kobe Bryant, no longer the backup point guard but, unexpectedly, the starting shooting guard.

“Like we said before when we increased his playing time, we hope to find out exactly where he may be before the playoffs,” Coach Del Harris said.

Bryant has flashed his talent but not consistently, hardly a knock against someone who has played three positions in the NBA before his 19th birthday. In the last eight games, he is shooting 31.8% but goes into the starting lineup tonight because Robert Horry’s knee injury has moved Eddie Jones back to forward.

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There is a possibility the Lakers will trade before the 6 p.m. Thursday deadline, but it’s a remote one. They have almost no interest in any deal that would require parting with anyone from the eight- or nine-man rotation. That’s why Chris Mullin has all but faded from consideration.

A better bet, if a deal is done for a shooter at small forward, is George McCloud, dealt from Dallas to New Jersey in Monday’s blockbuster trade. More likely still, the Lakers will bolster their front court with someone from the CBA.