Lakers Clarkson Raising Eyebrows in Purple and Gold

 

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed rookie point guard Jordan Clarkson from the University of Missouri, a second-round draft pick (46th overall), purchased for $1.8 million from the Washington Wizards. The Purple and Gold signed the 6’5″ combo guard to a fully guaranteed minimum salary contract at $507, 336 for the 2014-15 season and a non-guaranteed contract at $845, 059 for 2015-16.

The former Missouri Tiger was a steal for the Lakers, a team in need of an infusion of young talent. He is considered one of the top guards in the 2014 NBA draft class although questions about his outside shooting and decision-making at the point caused Clarkson to fall to the second round.

While it was unfortunate for the rest of the league that the Lakers ended up with Clarkson, it was extremely lucky for the youngster who literally fell into the best possible situation. In landing in Los Angeles, he has the opportunity for development and something every player wants… time on the court. He also has the potential to join first-round draft choice Julius Randle (power forward) in becoming two building blocks for a storied team with a rich history that needs a new “face of the franchise.”

Throughout the 2014 NBA Summer League competition, Clarkson displayed a skill set that is tailored to the speed and athleticism of NBA point guards. He dropped a 21-point performance (versus the Toronto Raptors) that included improved three-pointing and several baskets finished at the rim. Clarkson also displayed excellent skills; awareness and decision-making in pick and roll situations.

There was absolute chemistry between Clarkson and Randle, as they found each other on fast breaks and were productive operating in high-low sets. The Missouri alum shot 42.4-percent from the field and a respectable 42.1-percent from behind the arc. In his second Summer League game, as a follow-up to his 21-point performance, Clarkson dropped 16 points against the New Orleans Pelicans and 19 points against the Golden State Warriors, including tipping in a game-winning basket.

Clarkson led the Lakers in scoring in all five of their contests at a 15.8 points per game which was surprisingly better than fellow rookies Dante Exum (Utah Jazz), Jabari Parker (Milwaukee Bucks) and Andrew Wiggins (Minnesota Timberwolves). The 22-year old former Tiger seeks to crack the Lakers rotation as soon as possible after impressing Lakers’ assistant coach Mark Madsen who served as head coach for the their summer league team.

Jordan Clarkson possesses the speed, athleticism, scoring ability, play-making ability and defensive acumen required to succeed in the NBA. He is the Lakers’ point guard of the future. Veteran Steve Nash’s health and the impact and production of recently signed Jeremy Lin will determine how much playing time the youngster receives, but he will be in the rotation. The 2014-15 season provides Clarkson a chance to build on his solid Summer League showing and learn a lot from head coach Byron Scott, star shooting guard Kobe Bryant and Nash.