Lakers: 5 Biggest 2016 Offseason Needs

4. Stand Strong Regarding Jordan Clarkson

In a perfect world, the Los Angeles Lakers would be able to sign guard Jordan Clarkson to a mid-level contract for around three years and not think twice about it. Unfortunately, we don’t live in this ideal world and the Lakers are going to have a tough decision ahead of them this offseason regarding Clarkson as he becomes a restricted free agent on the end of his rookie deal as a second round pick.

As he enters restricted free agency, Clarkson can sign an offer sheet with any team in the league. Given that he’s a young player who’s already proven that he can be highly productive in the NBA right away, there are undoubtedly going to be teams in pursuit of the Missouri product trying to land hm with an offer sheet. Obviously, though, the Lakers will have the option to match any offer, which is where their difficult decision to make comes into play.

The idea of another team swooping int to offer Clarkson a max offer sheet to essentially force the Lakers to match it and use up all of their cap room is not out of the realm of possibility. What has to happen, though, is that the Lakers have to go into free agency and this offseason with the number in mind that they’d be willing to sign Clarkson for and stand firm there no matter what.

One of the biggest mistakes that the Lakers could make in this situation is just to essentially play it by ear. They have to go in with a strategy and a plan if they want Clarkson’s free agency to end favorably in any way.

Next: No. 3 Find Value In NBA Draft