Lakers News: Buzz on Jordan Hill Comments and Jordan Clarkson's Development
The Los Angeles Lakers, good or bad, are often the talk of the town, especially as the NBA gears up for Thursday's trade deadline.
There is no shortage of trade rumors and chatter surrounding the future of this team, hardly surprising since the current squad is 13-40, second-worst record in the Western Conference.
While hard news may be difficult to come by in the feverish, rumor-heavy buildup to the deadline, Lakers fans can take heart in some of the latest info surrounding a pair of Jordans—Jordan Hill and Jordan Clarkson that is, not the sneakers—and their commitment to improving themselves and helping the team's cause.
Of the Lakers' precious few assets, Hill likely ranks among the most desirable to other NBA franchises in any potential deal.
The high-energy power forward has shown marked improvement in certain facets of his game this season, and his $9 million team option for next season gives any potential trade partners some semblance of control, in that they could release him if he doesn't pan out or retain their investment if he proves a viable cog.
However, Hill has no plans to move on from the team and recently reiterated his desire to stick with the Purple and Gold.
“I want to be here,” Hill said, via Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. “I want to be a in a steady place I call home.”
Of course, comments like these haven't stopped some members of the Lakers organization from trolling Hill in epic fashion, per ESPN Los Angeles' Arash Markazi:
Hill is averaging 12.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game this season and has improved his numbers in every season since joining the Lakers in 2012.
| 2012-13 | 29 | 15.8 | 6.7 | .497 | 5.7 | 0.4 | .656 | 18.5 |
| 2013-14 | 72 | 20.8 | 9.7 | .549 | 7.4 | 0.8 | .685 | 19.3 |
| 2014-15 | 48 | 28.0 | 12.3 | .476 | 8.0 | 1.4 | .760 | 16.8 |
Medina noted his improved mid-range jump shot, a key to Hill's development as a more well-rounded scorer. Thirty-five percent of his shots have come from between 16 feet and the three-point line, and he's sinking them at a 38.3 percent clip. His average distance on field-goal attempts has shot up from 6.4 feet last season to 10.2 in 2014-15.
Still, it's not all roses when it comes to Hill. He will likely have to continue ratcheting up his production to completely justify his salary, and he's been dealing with a right leg injury as of late. His rebounding rate has also taken a troubling dip, considering crashing the boards was how he established himself in the NBA. He's averaging 10.3 rebounds per 36 minutes this season; last year, that number was at 12.8 per 36 minutes. Medina also documented a dip in production in the new year:
"Hill’s game also plateaued in December, his 10.7 points on 45.8 percent shooting and 6.1 rebounds in 26.3 minutes a sharp drop from when he posted 13.9 points at a 48.1 percent clip and 9.7 rebounds in 32.3 minutes in November. Although Hill averaged 13.1 points on 48.9 percent shooting and 8.4 rebounds in January, Scott kept his playing time at 27.1 minutes per game because of his fluctuating energy.
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At 27 years old, however, there is no reason Hill can't continue his development and improve his endurance during his prime years.
As for Clarkson, he's had a very interesting rookie year. The 22-year-old point guard has ping-ponged back and forth between the Lakers and their D-League affiliate this season, in order to keep him off the pine and on the hardwood. The measured approach to his development already appears to be paying off, as Clarkson's numbers have improved with bigger minutes and consistent appearances as the starting point guard.
| October | 13.8 | 5.0 | .308 | 1.3 | 2.0 |
| November | 11.5 | 5.0 | .440 | 0.4 | 1.1 |
| December | 9.5 | 3.2 | .300 | 0.7 | 1.2 |
| January | 23.8 | 9.8 | .413 | 2.0 | 2.3 |
| February | 28.8 | 13.2 | .386 | 4.2 | 3.3 |
In a sign of his commitment to developing into a capable starting guard in the Association, Clarkson has recently taken to working out with Steve Nash, per Medina:
"Clarkson then soon returned to Los Angeles to resume his on-court training. That included working out for a few hours with veteran guard Steve Nash, who has recently taken on a mentorship role after staying away from the team amid a season-long back injury."
Considering Nash reportedly has had little communication with the franchise at times, this is a very encouraging sign for the Lakers. At this point, the injured Nash can really only provide value as a mentor or team ambassador. Working with the team's youngest point guard is a fine way to contribute, and Clarkson is appreciative of the opportunity to take instruction from the legendary Nash.
“He’s a great and a future Hall of Famer,” Clarkson said, per Medina. “Being able to pick his mind is just a blessing for me. I’m going to continue to learn and pick his brain every time I’m around him."
Perhaps this willingness to improve even during the All-Star break has led to whispers that the team is unwilling to part ways with the budding Mizzou product, per the Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan:
The Lakers are in dire need of stability at point guard. Jeremy Lin has been inconsistent this season and is a free agent this summer, and Ronnie Price is more of a stopgap solution at 31 years old.
Clarkson could be their best bet at this point, although it will likely take some time for him to develop into a consistently productive starter. His shooting has been inconsistent, and he ranks as poor defender even by Lakers standards, with a 112 defensive rating.
Plus, a major roster move to pick up a marquee talent at the trade deadline would presumably satiate Kobe Bryant's burning desire to go out on top next season, a campaign that will likely be his last as an NBA player.
The likes of Hill and Clarkson—if given more time to develop in house—could eventually become key role players in a post-Bryant era, just as they've shown flashes of potential in this torturous season.
If the Lakers do indeed stand pat at the trade deadline, fans can only hope that the continued improvement of players like Hill and Clarkson make Los Angeles a more desirable place for top-tier free agents to sign in the summers of 2015 and 2016.
Contract information courtesy of Spotrac. Statistics courtesy of Basketball Reference unless otherwise noted.
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