Are The Lakers Developing Jordan Clarkson So They Can Trade Him?
The basketball fortunes of Jordan Clarkson took a turn for the better on January 21, 2015. That night, in New Orleans, Kobe Bryant injured his shoulder. Bryant’s torn rotator cuff required surgery and sidelined him for the rest of the season. As a bonus, it gave Byron Scott the opportunity to do what he had wanted to do the past two months: play Jordan Clarkson 30+ minutes a game.
Two days later, Jordan Clarkson was the Lakers starting point guard, chasing around Tony Parker, controlling the Lakers offense as the primary decision maker. He was a rookie in a position of trust. Scott wasn’t going to pull Clarkson no matter what he did. If the choice was between Clarkson’s mistakes and Jeremy Lin’s mistakes, Scott had already decided.
Feb 1, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Against the defending champions, Clarkson played 29 minutes. He had 11 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 turnover. For his first ever start, it was a nice beginning. His speed was an asset as was his calmness but the fact remained-he was still a rookie point guard.
This is true: you become better by playing, not by watching. Organizations, both great and small, move players in and out to give young talent the opportunity to succeed. Jeremy Lin has been relegated to the second team so Jordan Clarkson can figure out the NBA game.
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It was sixteen years ago, in March of 1999, that Lakers General Manager Jerry West traded one of his better players, Eddie Jones, to the Charlotte Hornets for Glen Rice. Jones, a lottery pick in 1994, had been a two time All-Star. He was 27 years old and just entering his prime. Jones averaged 15 points on 45% shooting during his four-plus years with the Lakers. The year he was traded, he was 2nd in the NBA in steals. He was NBA All-Defensive second team. He had been to the playoffs every year in his career and played in the Western Conference Finals.
Nevertheless, West knew he had to clear the deck and allow Kobe Bryant the room to grow. There were parts of Jones’ game he could never improve on. In late game situations, Jones always came up gasping for air. He just didn’t have the nerve of a big time NBA closer. Even at the age of 20, Bryant had the resolve as well as the hunger to close games out. He didn’t care about failing.
A tough decision became an easy decision. Jerry West believed wholeheartedly in Kobe Bryant’s potential as a future star. Trading Eddie Jones only made it official.
From the looks of things, Jordan Clarkson has that same sort of organizational support. He has been the Lakers starting point guard in five games, averaging 34 minutes, 15 points, 42% shooting, 36% from three, 2.8 assists, 2.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 2.4 turnovers. Clearly, the Lakers are going to sink or swim with young Clarkson running things.
One the one hand it makes sense what the Lakers are doing. Clarkson’s contract is not guaranteed for next year. The Lakers have the option to bring him back at $845,000. With the playoffs no longer an option, the Lakers can throw Clarkson in games to see what type of player he is.
Is he mentally tough? Does he understand the game? Is he improving? Can he compete athletically? Is he a point guard or is he a shooting guard? Can he control his speed? In two months time, the Lakers will have a decision on where they think Clarkson’s future is in this league.
Or, it could be a different strategy altogether.
In his first prime time television appearance, Jordan Clarkson played 43 minutes against the Chicago Bulls. He held his own against Derrick Rose, even sailing by Rose on several occasions. He wasn’t beaten in the usual Lakers way, whereas an athletic point guard dismantles them from start to finish.
But, the last 80 seconds in regulation, Clarkson played like the rookie he is. He turned the ball over twice in a row when faced with backcourt traps. Recovering from his miscues, in the second overtime, he was the leader on the Lakers offense, organizing the flow of the game, putting his imprint on the victory.
So, it’s not farfetched to imagine that after the Thursday night game on TNT the phone rang in Mitch Kupchak’s office. On the other end? Sam Presti of Oklahoma City.
The Thunder can’t re-sign Reggie Jackson for what he is worth in 2015 and then re-sign Kevin Durant to a max deal in 2016 with a Westbrook deal on the way in 2017. They have to take a cheaper version of Jackson. What if the Thunder are interested in a Clarkson/Jackson trade? Do the Lakers give up a young player who is still developing for a 14 point, 4 assist, 4 rebound player who has proven he can be a starter in the playoffs? Are the Lakers developing Jordan Clarkson for someone else?
Last week, in his talk to the media, Mitch Kupchak mentioned that his biggest goal in the off-season is to surround Kobe Bryant with talent. It was a stark admission. This year’s team is talent deprived. But how far are the Lakers willing to go? Reportedly, they refused to put Julius Randle in a deal for Rajon Rondo. Does Clarkson have that much cache within the organization? Or, are they willing to bargain if the right player comes along?
What we see of Jordan Clarkson in a Lakers uniform in February may only last another two months. It may come to pass that another team will reap the benefits of what the Lakers started and Clarkson becomes an All-Star for someone else. In return, the Lakers reap the services of a veteran talent that can help them win in 2015-16.