New Jersey Nets head coach Avery Johnson wasn't planning on making any lineup changes after just two games, but he changed his mind before Thursday's game against the Orlando Magic.
Deron Williams, Damion James and Kris Humphries remain in the starting lineup, but they will have two new players lining up next to them. Backup point guard Sundiata Gaines will start at shooting guard next to Williams while recently acquired center Mehmet Okur takes the place of Johan Petro.
In both of the their two games this season, the Nets got off to awful starts and Johnson didn't want to give his original starting lineup a chance to make it three for three. Morrow has struggled more than any of the Nets starters, playing just 13 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday and shooting just 29 percent for the season, averaging 9.5 points per game.
Gaines, however, has been impressive during his time on the floor, shooting 46 percent from the floor and handing out eight assists to five turnovers. The Magic have already talked about doubling Williams, making it all that more important to have another ball handler in the back court.
Petro was pushed into the starting unit after Brook Lopez broke his foot in the final preseason game of the season. New Jersey traded for Okur to eventually slot into Lopez' spot, but the move was done quicker than expected after the ugly starts. Petro struggled against the Hawks, but had 11 points and five rebounds in 25 minutes against the Washington Wizards in the season opening victory.
Look for more changes to the starting lineup as the season goes along, especially if rookie MarShon Brooks continues to impress.