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Lakers: Jose Calderon Ready to Embrace Backup Role

By Cody Williams

Nov 8, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Los Angeles Lakers point guard Jordan Clarkson (6) dribbles the ball up the court on the fast break with New York Knicks point guard Jose Calderon (3) defending during the 1st qtr at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Los Angeles Lakers point guard Jordan Clarkson (6) dribbles the ball up the court on the fast break with New York Knicks point guard Jose Calderon (3) defending during the 1st qtr at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The newest Lakers guard in Jose Calderon is ready to take on the role of backing up the younger guards in Los Angeles

There were obviously many big deals and contracts handed out early in the NBA offseason, but one of the sneaky best ones of the summer was the Los Angeles Lakers being able to cut a deal with the Chicago Bulls in which the Lakers got veteran point guard Jose Calderon in addition to two future second-round picks in exchange for the rights to an overseas stash.

Given the Lakers’ focus on veterans in free agency with the signings of Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng while they should be focusing on the development of the young core including D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson, the question about the arrival of Calderon was whether he would be content playing a smaller role than he did last season with the New York Knicks.

Apparently that’s more than fine with the 35-year-old Spanish guard.

In an interview with the New York Post after his departure from the Knicks and then the Bulls, Calderon stated that he felt he should have been playing a smaller role in New York last season in retrospect. 

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Subsequently, Calderon stated that he’s more than ready to take a backseat to the likes of Russell and Clarkson as he takes on a newfound backup role with the Lakers. Obviously it doesn’t shock Lakers fans that’s going to be his role, but it’s comforting to see that he’s not going to push for more—or so he says.

The big question that still remains, though, is just what the backcourt rotation is going to look like. With the Lakers also re-signing Marcelo Huertas this offseason, you have to wonder how he and Calderon are going to share minutes behind Russell at point guard or if that means more time at the two this season for Russell.

Either way, it’s a good look to see Calderon already embracing his new team and the new role he’ll be playing. Hopefully he serves as an asset as he makes his way to the west coast.

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