Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott and Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell #1 have a discussion in the first half .The Los Angeles Lakers played the Denver Nuggets in a regular season NBA game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. 11/3/2015 (photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles News Group)

Back when the Lakers seemed ecstatic after acquiring D’Angelo Russell, it appeared the only uncertainty would entail how long it would take for him to develop. Who would have known that the Lakers’ biggest offseason acquisition would have also sat in crunch time for two of the team’s first four regular-season games?

Yet, there Russell sat in the entire fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 120-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday at Staples Center. The Lakers’ 19-year-old rookie point guard then admitted he has “no idea” why he has failed to close out games. Lakers coach Byron Scott contended Russell’s absence simply stemmed from Lou Williams scoring 14 of his 24 points in the final period.

But is it in the Lakers’ best long-term interests for Russell to finish games?

“Of course,” Scott said.

And what needs to happen for Scott to grant Russell that opportunity?

“Just keep playing. Cut down on the mistakes and continue to run the offense and do a better job on the defensive end. All the little things,” Scott said. “He knows he has to earn minutes, especially to play at the end of games that are on the line. If Lou wasn’t playing well, I would have brought him back in.”

Russell posted seven points on on only 3-of-11 shooting in 20 minutes. But he logged six assists and only one turnover. Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson also credited Russell’s presence for giving him open looks that resulted in a career-high 30 points on 12-of-19 shooting. But even if increased playing time could accelerate Russell’s development, Scott admitted he has different objectives.

“I’m always thinking about trying to win,” Scott said. “The development part comes secondary to that. The practice is when you work on the development part.”

That only opens up more questions. The Lakers are already off to their worst start since last season that ended with their worst record in franchise history. Scott has lamented that productive practices have not translated onto the actual court. But even if Scott ultimately wants Russell as his closer, the Lakers’ coach will not do so at the expense of a veteran player he believes earned his spot.

“That is the reality,” Scott said. “But the second part of the goal is you still have to develop the core of the young guys that you have. That’s my job, to win basketball games and in the meantime, try to develop young people.”

Through four games, the Lakers have failed to do both.

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com