Los Angeles Lakers forward Luol Deng (9) fouls Utah Jazz’s Rodney Hood(5) during the 2nd quarter against the Utah Jazz, at the Staples Center. Lakers lost 107-101. Los Angeles Calif., Monday, December ,5, 2016. ( Photo by Stephen Carr / LA Daily News / SCNG )

The move marked the latest sign on how Lakers coach Luke Walton has accelerated his shift toward developing his young players. It also marked the latest sign of the Lakers’ stock plummeting on reserve forward Luol Deng, whose four-year, $72 million has yielded only a 7.6 points per game average on a career-low 38.6 percent shooting in his 13th NBA season.

Lakers coach Luke Walton put Deng on the inactive list during the Lakers’ 115-95 loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday at Staples Center for a simple reason. As Walton put it, “We’re trying to get looks at all the young guys that we can.”

“I totally understand what we’re doing,” Deng told Southern California News Group. “He wants the guys to be in situations where they learn and play minutes. It’s always about what we’re trying to do. Why am I going to be on the bench if I’m not playing?”

Deng originally lost his starting spot on Feb. 6 against New York in favor of rookie forward Brandon Ingram. After averaging 4.1 points on 27.8 percent shooting in 21.3 minutes in seven games off the bench, Deng sat Tuesday’s game against Charlotte because of a coach’s decision.

Walton cited the need to play Ingram, third-year guard Jordan Clarkson, newly acquired guard Tyler Ennis (from Houston) and newly acquired guard/forward David Nwaba (signed to 10-day contract). It is not clear what Deng’s status will be when the Lakers (19-43) host the New Orleans Pelicans (24-38) on Sunday at Staples Center, or if either Walton or Deng would be open toward him playing on even more reduced minutes.

“He wants to play the young guys, so I’m not going to play,” Deng said. “So there’s no point of being on the active roster and sit on the bench. He’s got to keep all the guys he’s going to play and evaluate.”

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