Lakers News: Recent Chatter Surrounding Jordan Clarkson, Nick Young and More
Much of the news surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers this winter revolves around—who else—one Kobe Bryant.
The 36-year-old superstar has sat out three of the Lakers' last six games, including the Lakers' 106-94 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.
While this is certainly a concerning development for the Lakers, especially considering how much money is tied up in Bryant this season and the next, it isn't the only development worth tracking.
Outside of the constant Bryant updates, there are a few notable news items and storylines to keep track of with this struggling franchise. Here is a look at three of the latest news tidbits from Lakerland.
Jordan Clarkson's D-League Exploits
Since the Lakers' season is undoubtedly a lost cause, at least in terms of immediate success, much of the organization's attention should be devoted toward identifying and developing the talent that can help this team succeed in the future.
One such player is Jordan Clarkson, who is still a member of the big squad on most nights but has lately found himself bouncing back and forth between the Association and the D-League, which he is turning into his own personal showcase on most nights. In six D-League appearances with the Los Angeles D-Fenders, Clarkson has averaged 24.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game.
Nice box scores, to be sure, but the one person Clarkson really needs to impress in the short term—head coach Byron Scott—isn't swayed by the numbers, per the Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan and Jim Peltz.
"I don't evaluate those games. I don't even try," said Scott. "I don't look at his box scores and things like that. I'll ask [Clarkson] personally how did he think he played and then I'll always ask him, 'Who did you guard and what did he have?'"
Kudos to Scott for harping on Clarkson's defense. In a backcourt filled with scorers like Jeremy Lin, Kobe Bryant and Nick Young, Clarkson's best bet to stand out is on the defensive end, where the Lakers remain one of the league's least efficient teams (109.2 points allowed per 100 possessions, via ESPN.com).
Still, Clarkson's scoring exploits in the D-League could be paying off in the form of confidence and assuredness when he dons the purple and gold. He scored 14 points in 20 minutes during the Lakers' 114-89 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Jan. 7.
On the other hand, Clarkson was notably absent from the Lakers' loss to the Trail Blazers on Sunday night, per the Los Angeles Times' Eric Pincus:
The inconsistent playing time could become very frustrating for a player like Clarkson, but the Lakers are at least making sure he hits the hardwood in the D-League instead of rotting on the bench. With the improved play of Lin in the new calendar year and both Ronnie Price and (occasionally) Kobe Bryant available to play point guard, the Lakers can afford to work Clarkson along slowly.
Scott's Advice to Nick Young
The quick version of Nick Young's scouting report probably goes something like this: gifted scorer, even better interviewee, lax defender and streaky shooter.
Young loves to have the ball in his hands and tends to run either hot or cold with very little in between. Los Angeles is well known for its balmy climate, which makes Young's shooting as of late perhaps the most frigid part of the SoCal winter.
After a disastrous 2-for-13 shooting effort against the Orlando Magic on Friday night, Scott had some decidedly simple advice for Young, per Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News:
Apparently, Young took heed of his coach's recommendation, but it didn't help him bust out of the extended slump on Sunday, per the Orange County Register's Bill Oram:
Young finished the game with just nine points on 3-of-11 shooting from the field. For the month of January, Young is shooting a dismal 28.3 percent. It could be that it's purely a rhythm or balance issue, as Young is 28-of-29 from the free-throw line this month. He has also apparently dealt with a sore knee as of late, which can affect his alignment on his shooting stroke.
The Lakers are a better organization all around when Young is hitting his spots. His liveliness, energy and off-the-pine scoring are crucial to a team that is set to struggle for the foreseeable future. He can take the edge off a string of losses with his personality, but the Lakers could be in store for some very dark days if Young's shooting woes continue and Bryant continues to take rest days every so often.
Lakers Interested in Overseas Star?
As basketball's influence and import grows around the world, the NBA stands to benefit from the developing talent across the globe. The Lakers, with their worldwide fame and destination locale, would likely be a quite alluring team for many overseas talents. Of course, they have to do the legwork themselves in many cases.
One player the team could be keen on is Lithuanian forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas, who currently plays for Malaga in Spain. Basketball Insiders' David Pick noted the 25-year-old has raised his NBA stock as of late and caught the attention of the Lakers and at least one other NBA franchise:
"Fast forward to last summer, to September 11 of all dates, as Team USA bulldozed over the Lithuanian national team, 96-68, in the World Cup games in Espana. Despite the loss, Kuzminskas recorded his best game and his only double-digit scoring performance with 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting from the floor, along with a game-high nine rebounds.
That game, in addition to a few solid seasons in the Euroleague with Zalgiris Kaunas and Unicaja Malaga, significantly raised Kuzminskas’ NBA stock, sources told Basketball Insiders.
NBA scouts are asking about the length of Kuzminskas’ contract in Spain. The Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz, among others, have inquired, a source shared with Basketball Insiders.
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Kuzminskas may be in his mid-20s, but this appears to be a long-term proposition at best for the Lakers. His production is solid in Spain, but he would likely take time to develop into a viable NBA threat, even for a team in need of depth and talent. However, he could be stateside fairly soon, depending on how his club handles his status as a restricted free agent this summer.
"Kuzminskas could leave Malaga, but there is a heavy NBA buyout and a even higher Euroleague buyout,” Lithuanian based agent Tadas Bulotas said, via Pick. “If Malaga [does] well in the ACB and the Euroleague, it might be worth it for the club to lower the buyout and sell Mindaugas. Otherwise, Kuzminskas could leave after next season for free.”
If the Lakers had a line on a foreign talent who could really shake up the roster and the team dynamic, it would likely be a bigger news item. Still, the Lakers' cap issues with Bryant's contract means they should be searching far and wide for potentially cost-effective talent that other teams might miss.
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