LOS ANGELES – The Lakers’ latest coaching change has had Nick Young smiling most of the season, not only because he remained with the Lakers but because he’s thriving in a new role. Lately, Young has been excited about something else. He likes his chances of being asked to compete in the NBA’s 3-point shooting contest during NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 18 in New Orleans.

“Start my campaign for me,” Young said.

He doesn’t really need one.

The Lakers (17-34) enter Thursday’s game against the Washington Wizards (28-20) at Verizon Center with Young ranked fourth in the league in 3-point field-goal percentage (42.4 percent) among players who have made at least 100 shots from behind the perimeter. He’s 10th in 3-point field goals made (128) despite missing seven games with a strained calf muscle in his right leg. He also set a franchise record when he made 36 3-pointers at a 56.3 percent clip over an eight-game span from Dec. 17 to Jan. 1.

“I’ll most definitely do it,” Young said. “I’d like to see how I match against those guys.”

Will this prompt Young to hunt for more shots during upcoming games?

“I’m not trying to focus on that,” he said, though he acknowledged he has a strategy if the NBA selects him to compete.

“For the money ball, I’ll leave it for the top of the key or the last rack,” Young said. “The time might mess me up, so I might save it for the middle rack.”

PROMISING TANDEM

After summer league ended, Lakers second-year guard D’Angelo Russell and rookie center Ivica Zubac practiced pick-and-roll sets this week for the first time. It didn’t take long for Russell to envision a promising future for Zubac, and the pair combined for 39 points in Tuesday’s 120-116 win against Denver largely because of their pick-and-roll chemistry.

“He’s always in the right position,” Russell said of Zubac. “He doesn’t force anything. He makes the right plays. You rarely see him mess up. It’s a great sign. I truly believe he’s going to be something special.”

INJURY UPDATE

Although the Lakers technically listed forward Julius Randle to play against Washington after missing the past two games with pneumonia, the Lakers plan to reevaluate him following Thursday’s shootaround. Randle completed some work prior to Tuesday’s morning shootaround.

HE SAID IT

Lakers coach Luke Walton, asked if he experienced any memorable “Grammy” trips during his 10-year NBA career.

“Winning a championship stands out,” Walton said. “Spending two weeks on the East Coast in February, I don’t sit at home and remember those days.”

Contact the writer: mmedina@scng.com