The Los Angeles Lakers got a steal in the form of Jordan Clarkson in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft. Clarkson earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors last season and proved his worth as potential star in the making in Los Angeles.
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With Clarkson being a second-round draft pick, the Missouri product is under contract for next season. Although under contract for a second season with the Lakers, the contract is non-guaranteed.
Fortunately for Clarkson, the second-year guard’s deal will become guaranteed on Saturday with the Lakers brass convinced Clarkson is a player with a promising future ahead, via Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times:
According to the terms of his contract, Clarkson’s contract locks in for the year, provided the Lakers do not waive him on or by Aug. 1.
Naturally, the Lakers will keep one of last season’s best rookies, as confirmed to The Times by a team spokesman.
Last season, Clarkson averaged 11.9 points, 3.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 59 games for the Lakers. Clarkson’s averages went up considerably after the All-Star break with the rookie putting up 16.7 points, 5.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game.
With Clarkson proving to be a valuable asset and a player could be the shooting guard of the future for the Lakers, the team keeping the 23-year-old in the fold moving forward was a no-brainer. Clarkson will likely continue to be a starter next season while being joined by point guard D’Angelo Russell in the backcourt.
Head coach Byron Scott has said Kobe Bryant will shift to the small forward position in the starting lineup allowing Clarkson to start at shooting guard while Russell runs the point.
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