UPDATE: According to Joe Freeman of The Oregonian, although Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan was elusive when discussing the issue after the Blazers' Monday practice, he hinted that he is contemplating starting F Nicolas Batum when the Blazers host the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday night at the Rose Garden. In fact, McMillan said Batum probably would have started against the Lakers on Saturday had Kobe Bryant played.
FANTASY IMPACT: Batum would start in place of Trail Blazers F Martell Webster who has started in 44 games this season. Webster is averaging 11.4 points per game this season, but struggles to defend his position. The move to the bench will hurt his production. In nine games as a reserve, Webster is averaging just 5.0 points per game. It will be interesting to see how long this lineup change lasts.