Lakers’ Lou Williams, Jose Calderon to miss Warriors’ preseason game

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LAS VEGAS — The trash talk brewed nearly 24 hours before either team took the court. The exchange did not convey any tension. Instead, the episode captured the good-natured teasing and close relationship Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Lakers coach Luke Walton built when he served as a Golden State assistant for the previous two years.

When the Lakers (2-3) host the Golden State Warriors (2-1) on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena, the Warriors will sit Andre Iguodala and David West for one specific reason.

“I want to give Luke (Walton) every opportunity to prepare for tomorrow’s clash” Kerr jokingly told reporters.

Walton quickly countered with his own jab.

“You tell Steve that Lou Williams isn’t playing either,” Walton said, smiling. “So he can have his full opportunity.”

Walton planned to sit Williams for no reason other than resting. Lakers backup point guard Jose Calderon also will miss Saturday’s game because of a sore left calf that Walton said had bothered him “off and on” ever since training camp began in late September in Santa Barbara.

Walton maintained he had not decided how he would change his starting lineup. But some options could include Nick Young or Jordan Clarkson, who was excused to miss Friday’s practice to attend Cameron Moore’s funeral in San Antonio. The Lakers expect Clarkson will return in time for Saturday’s game. He has averaged 14.4 points on 48.8 percent shooting in 21.6 minutes per game.

Despite Williams averaging 12.6 points on only 38.2 percent shooting, Walton has strongly praised the 11-year NBA veteran’s leadership presence. At the conclusion of Friday’s practice, Williams led the Lakers’ huddle and implored them to consistently play with “a chip on your shoulder.”

“That’s because you guys were here,” Walton joked. “He’s part of the reason why I like him with that starting group. He’s one of the leaders in the locker room. Obviously anytime he speaks like he did today, the guys listen. He has that presence with our group. It’s great for the team when he speaks up and says things.”

As for Calderon’s absence, it seems pretty straight forward how Walton will fill that void. He has split minutes to Calderon and Marcelo Huertas at the backup point guard spot, an issue Walton recently admitted will “become a tough call.”

Huertas has averaged 4.3 points on 41.6 percent shooting and 3.3 assists in 11.6 minutes, while sitting out Thursday’s exhibition loss to Sacramento. Calderon has averaged 4.25 points on 50 percent shooting and 2.25 assists in 12.5 minutes, while sitting out of Tuesday’s preseason loss to Portland.

“Luke doesn’t have to worry much about not having good backups. It’s a good headache he’ll have,” Huertas said. “We’re all comfortable and know what we can bring to the team. Of course, we all want to play. But this is something we have to demonstrate each and every day in practice and in games. This is something that doesn’t concern me and Jose. But of course we’re trying to do our best to get minutes and help the team.”


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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