The NBA Summer League is a fun time for fans as it gives everyone a chance to view their team’s young, promising players. For the Los Angeles Lakers that means getting a first look at Brandon Ingram while seeing how much players like D’Angelo Russell and Larry Nance Jr. have developed.
For someone like Jordan Clarkson, a restricted free agent who is heading into his third season, Summer League would seem to be unnecessary as he has already proven what he can do on the NBA’s main stage.
Despite that, however, the Lakers hope to have Clarkson signed and playing in Las Vegas on the Summer League team according to Shahan Ahmed of NBC LA:
Btw, was told last week that Randle not playing Summer League but Lakers hopeful Clarkson will be signed & play in Las Vegas
— Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) June 28, 2016
Clarkson being signed by the time Summer League begins shouldn’t come as a surprise. He is clearly one of the brightest young players on the team and the Lakers own every advantage in bringing him back. There is very little doubt Clarkson won’t be signed pretty quickly by the Lakers.
Clarkson playing in the Summer League would be somewhat of a surprise as he would seem beyond that level at this stage. He is the Lakers’ leading returning scorer and has nothing to prove at that level. That being said, Clarkson is one of the hardest workers on the team and is always trying to get better.
If Clarkson does indeed take part in Summer League it could help improve the chemistry between he and Russell and will also give him a chance to work with Ingram and second-round pick Ivica Zubac for the first time. With Clarkson, Russell, Ingram, Nance Jr., Anthony Brown, and the returning Jabari Brown, the Lakers’ Summer League team will certainly be worth watching.