PG/SG Jordan Clarkson
Jordan Clarkson is having one heck of a… wait for it… Sixth Man of the Year award season.
Unlike last year where Clarkson was dealing with inconsistencies on both sides of the floor, Clarkson has polished his jump shot and has accepted his role to second fiddle behind three-and-D player Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Though Clarkson has complained about playing time, he is clearly making a case for the NBA’s top caliber-bench player. Not only has Clarkson been more efficient from the field, he has improved as a whole from last season. His 3-point percentage from last year has improved by four percent. His plus-minus rating jumped from -5.1 to -0.9 in this season.
The chip on Clarkson’s shoulder almost suddenly disappeared. Clarkson should not be in any trade talks; he is a player for the Lakers to keep as a bench catalyst. He quietly submerged trade rumors for now.