EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Entering what is probably his final NBA season, two-time MVP Steve Nash faces the very real prospect of spending it in a new role: as a backup.

Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott said Jeremy Lin could become the team's starting point guard because of Nash's nagging health issues.

"That is something I'm definitely thinking about it," Scott said after the team's practice Tuesday. "Is it in our best interest to start Jeremy or Ronnie [Price] or do we wait day by day, game by game? We'll play these last five preseason games out. We'll figure it out from there."

Said Lin: "Whatever position [Scott] calls me to, I'll do my best. It doesn't change that much to me. No question I want to be a starter. But it's one of those things that game by game it changes so much.

Nash played in the Lakers' preseason opener, sat out the second exhibition game and played briefly in the third before asking to come out, saying he didn't feel right.

Nash hasn't practiced for two consecutive days and hasn't spoken to reporters since Sunday's game. His status for Thursday's exhibition game against the Utah Jazz is unclear.

At 40, Nash is the NBA's oldest active player and is in the final year of a three-year, $28-million contract. The 18-year NBA veteran played only 15 games last season, averaging 6.8 points and 5.7 assists.

"I have no doubt in my mind if I went to Steve tomorrow and said, 'I'm going to start Jeremy, and the games you're available we're going to bring you off the bench,' " Scott said. "He's such a professional that I don’t think it will be a problem whatsoever. He just wants to help the team win as much as he can. That's not a concern of mine. But we haven't talked about it."