Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: D’Angelo Russell Practicing with Bruised Foot

Los Angeles Lakers rookie D'Angelo Russell could not hide how much his bruised left foot was hurting during practice on Thursday.

"Do I have to stand up?" Russell asked when he was informed that it was time to talk to reporters.

Russell ended doing to interview while sitting on a padded chair at the University of Hawaii. When asked how his foot was, Russell, the 2015 first round draft pick, did not make the injury a big deal.

"It's like when I stop, it tightens up," Russell said. "It's just a bruise. It's all good. We'll figure out some different ways around it."

The Lakers were reportedly considering keeping Russell out of the evening session. Russell ended up playing but walked off the court with a noticeable limp. During practice, Russell and Jordan Clarkson both took turns with Kobe Bryant. Although Bryant did not talk to the media afterwards, his teammates and coach Byron Scott were impressed.

"I know it's going to be challenging for him, but Kobe's still the greatest," said forward Nick Young. "He's going to be able to adapt to any situation. He didn't play the last two years, pretty much. This is good for him, this challenge."

Bryant has been practicing as a small forward, a position that will give him more time to shoot.

"I don't have to handle the ball really at all, which leaves more time to catch and shoot. Makes my job a lot easier," Bryant said about making the transition from shooting guard to small forward.

"That's his [Bryant] hot spots," Lakers coach Scott said. "If we can get him on the elbow, mid-wing and mid-post, he can be so effective for us as he was today. He was making shots, making passes and making plays for other guys."

After the practices, Bryant received treatments, such as massages and ice bags.