With the growth of Jordan Clarkson, drafting of D'Angelo Russell and acquisition of Lou Williams, the Los Angeles Lakers think they could preserve Kobe Bryant by moving him out of the backcourt to small forward and even power forward at times.

"If we don't get another guard, then Kobe's in that mix," Byron Scott told NBA.com. "I'm kind of going through those scenarios. But not necessarily as far as who's starting and who doesn't... I think [Bryant] will play more 3 than 2. If we can get him at the elbows and at the mid-post, the more effective he'll be.

"I don't think he needs to be using up the whole 94-foot floor. If we can cut that down some, I think that saves his legs as much as possible," Scott continued. "But if we can get him where he operates best, which to me is elbows on each area, top of the key, at the pinch post, at the mid-post, then I think he can be real effective for us."

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Scott added that he won't hesitate in giving Bryant time as a power forward, either.

"There's no doubt in my mind. And there's some games against some teams where he'll probably play 4," Scott said. "With his tenaciousness, the way he guards people and when his mind is set, if I say, 'Kobe, you've got him,' he takes that as a challenge. You know how he is. He'll compete."

Bryant, who turns 37 next month, will be entering his 20th season in the NBA this fall. He averaged 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game through 35 games before suffering a season-ending torn rotator cuff injury in January.

The Lakers will be looking to improve upon their dreadful 21-61 finish last season.

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(Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)