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Los Angeles Lakers: What recent free agent interest means for Jordan Clarkson

By Tony Thai

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 19: Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to his three pointer in front of Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Staples Center on March 19, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 19: Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to his three pointer in front of Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Staples Center on March 19, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers have been eyeing potential guards to pair up with Lonzo Ball in the starting lineup with Jordan Clarkson already on the team.

The Los Angeles Lakers have had a lot going on in their backcourt this offseason. First, it was D’Angelo Russell, then it was Jordan Clarkson, possibly Rajon Rondo, then Dion Waiters, then George Hill and now Jamal Crawford. The Lakers are now on the market looking for potential players to play shooting guard with their new point guard, Lonzo Ball.

While they might not sign any of the free agents they’ve had meetings with, it is interesting to see the type of players they are targeting.

But with Clarkson already on the roster, why would the Lakers pursue other free agents to take his spot? Where does he fit into the equation?

It is likely that the team doesn’t think Clarkson could fit with Ball and might be a better fit as the sixth man for the team or as a role player.

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Last year, Clarkson averaged 14.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. He played a total of 82 games, starting 19 of them, and shot almost 33% from three. His numbers have relatively been the same since he joined the league except for the jump in points from his rookie to sophomore season.

Clarkson was recently being dangled around in trade talks for Paul George. Now with George traded to the Thunder, Clarkson seems unlikely to be moved for now. Clarkson still has three years left on his four-year, $50million dollar deal that he signed last offseason.

Once a bright spot for the Lakers’ dark days, Clarkson is now an afterthought and expendable to the team.

At 22, with Steve Nash as his mentor, Clarkson played extremely well for the Lakers in his rookie season and looked to be a long-term solution at point guard for the Lakers. But it seems after his rookie season, he has not panned out the way people thought he would.

He made a move to shooting guard after Lakers picked Russell and results were not ideal. Clarkson then came off the bench for a majority of last season.

Clarkson has definitely overachieved on the expectations for a second round pick. But, for the potential he has shown in the past, he seems to have peaked and even regressed instead of turning into the player he could have been.

A player similar to what George Hill is now, a good defender, runs the offense effectively, plays well off-ball and is a good consistent shooter, is what Clarkson should aim for.

At 25, there is still some time for Clarkson to improve and become a better player. However, time is ticking for him quickly.

For his style of play, Clarkson needs the ball in his hand to create offense himself instead of playing off the ball and being a spot-up shooter. His athletic ability will always make it easy for him to drive to the basket and finish but his inconsistent shooting and poor defense makes him a one-trick pony. He is good at scoring and but can’t do much else. Also when driving to the basket, he often gets tunnel vision and ends up making a bad decision.

Now with Ball, who needs to run the offense himself, leading the offense, a pairing with Clarkson would not work well unless Clarkson shows improvement in playing off-ball as the shooting guard.

Overall, Clarkson is a great scoring option off the bench and best suited as the sixth man for the Lakers with the way their roster is currently constructed. Coming off the bench, he can handle the ball and make the plays himself.

Next: 6 options at the shooting guard position

Clarkson has been an average player and it looks like is not much growth left for the former 46th pick of the draft.  With this in mind, it is understandable that the Lakers are still looking for guards to start with Lonzo Ball in the backcourt.

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