Lakers: Jordan Clarkson is Raising His Price with Continued Strong Play

The Lakers top off-season priority may be getting more expensive by the game

There is no doubt that Jordan Clarkson is currently the best player on the Lakers.

After arriving on the scene as a second-round pick, Clarkson has proved himself to be one of the most impressive young players in the league. Despite initial concerns due to his draft position and age, it isn’t difficult to see that the young combo guard has all the tools to become a star, or even superstar, in the NBA.

The problem is, young budding stars in the NBA don’t come cheap. The Lakers and their fans are not the only ones who have noticed Clarkson’s impressive play, and other teams are surely already coveting the Lakers valuable asset. At the end of his second year, Clarkson will enter restricted free agency, and other teams will almost certainly come calling.

The Lakers course of action is clear, they must match any offer sheet he signs. The reasons for this are the very same reasons that other teams will be so eager to acquire Clarkson’s services. First, Clarkson offers excellent size and athleticism for either guard positions, with the versatility to switch between the one and the two fairly seamlessly.

His ability to finish around the rim, with a variety of floaters and scoops, as well as the strength and athleticism to finish dunks over the top of defenders, Clarkson is in the upper-echelon of NBA finishers. However, although intriguing, these attributes were present before this season. What will truly make him an expensive asset for the Lakers to retain are his off-season improvements.

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Clarkson’s most immediately noticeable improvement has been his long-range shooting.

Three-point shooting was never Clarkson’s specialty, and that showed last season. Despite shooting very well from the mid-range, Clarkson only hit on 31 percent of his three-point opportunities.

Amazingly, in a single off-season, Clarkson seems to have turned his most glaring weakness into a point of strength. While shooting far more threes so far this season, Clarkson’s percentage from long-range has risen to a solid 42 percent.

JC has also been one of the Lakers most efficient and effective scorers on the team, ranking second on the team despite being forced to defer to shot-happy veterans. Making his play all the more impressive is the fact that, after playing the point guard all of last season, he has been transitioned primarily to shooting guard in most games this season.

Changing positions can be difficult for any athlete, and even more so for young players. Regardless, Clarkson has handled the shift gracefully, relying on his versatility to remain effective in multiple roles.

This ability to adapt, and the willingness to put in work on his game, will truly catch the attention of other teams.

This ability to adapt, and the willingness to put in work on his game, will truly catch the attention of other teams. Clarkson has improved constantly since arriving in the NBA. During last season the most notable improvements came in the form of improved decision-making and pacing, and Clarkson has continued to build further upon that foundation.

The young guard’s rapid ascension makes the two-year contract the Lakers originally signed him to look like a poor decision. Although two-year deals are fairly common for second-round picks, the Lakers pursuit of Clarkson indicates that they were intrigued by his potential. Additionally, for a team at the beginning of a rebuild, a three or even four-year commitment to a young player represented little actual risk to the organization.

As of right now, Clarkson is the Lakers most dependable player, and of their young players is the closest thing to a sure-fire contributor that they have. Although his impressive play and short contract may cost the Lakers dearly, it is imperative that they retain the services of their exceptional young guard.

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Do you think re-signing Jordan Clarkson should be the Lakers top priority this off season? Let us know in the comments below!