How Jordan Clarkson's Evolution Impacts the Los Angeles Lakers Rebuild

Can an unheralded second-round rookie point guard make a difference in a team’s wholesale reconstruction? In the case of Jordan Clarkson and the Los Angeles Lakers, the answer is an unequivocal yes.

Each offseason, NBA teams approach the draft and free agency in hopes of achieving some level of improvement. Great teams may only need a tweak here and there, while the cellar-dwellers look for larger changes.

With the Lakers coming off their worst season ever at 21-61, the needs are obvious—good players at every position. But the truth of the matter is that the front office has to prioritize—the combination of the draft and cash in the coffers cannot solve all ills.

This is where it helps to have a young prospect with the talent, desire and physical tools to create an impact in the league. It's also refreshing when that player combines confidence with a modicum of humility. 

Clarkson was the 46th pick out of Missouri last June, acquired by the Lakers for $1.8 million from the Washington Wizards. The 22-year-old languished on the bench during the early part of the season but was thrust into a new role on January 23, as he made his starting debut in his hometown against the San Antonio Spurs. And from there, the seedling took root and began to grow, soaking up the opportunities that came his way. 

By the time an otherwise woeful Lakers season had mercifully ended, the 6’5” Clarkson had started 38 games, averaging 15.8 points on 45.8 percent shooting, along with 5.0 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals.  During that time, Clarkson showcased his speed and ability to slash to the basket, but he also gradually improved when it came to running the offense and facilitating for others.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak noted the rookie’s progression during a season-ending press conference, per Lakers.com.

“Byron (Scott) put him in the starting lineup,” Kupchak said. “And to Jordan’s credit from day one, he embraced the opportunity and got better and better as the season went on.”

Scott, who put a lot of time into developing his young charge, concurred with that sentiment during his own exit interview, also per the team's website.

"There was a point in the season when we looked at him and said, 'This kid can play,' " Scott said. "'And he’s going to get better if he continues to work and continues to keep that hunger. So yeah, we've got a nice little piece here.' "

Of course, it would be incongruous to think the Lakers won’t bolster their guard ranks—they absolutely must. But the question is whether Clarkson’s development adds a level of flexibility when it comes to allocating their resources during the draft and free agency, because the team is also in dire need of a quality starting center and a tough two-way small forward. 

If Los Angeles retains its top-five protected pick after the May 19 lottery drawing, it’ll head to the draft with the ability to nab a potential game-changer. Otherwise, the pick will fall into the Philadelphia 76ers' hands, and the Lakers will be left with nothing to show for a franchise-worst campaign. This year's draft includes Kentucky’s big men Karl-Anthony Towns and Willie Cauley-Stein, as well as Duke’s Jahlil Okafor. There is also Duke’s small forward Justise Winslow, Ohio State’s point guard D’Angelo Russell and the intriguing question of point guard Emmanuel Mudiay, who chose to skip college and play in China instead.

If the Lakers decide to draft big, they will then look toward the open market to plug backcourt holes. Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News examined the situation, including the recent departure of Rajon Rondo from the Dallas Mavericks after an ill-fated midseason trade with the Boston Celtics:

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But even if Rondo remains one of the NBA’s most gifted passers and remains close to Kobe Bryant, is Rondo worth the risk for reasons including his personality, health and poor shooting accuracy? Goran Dragic has said he will test the free agent market and consider the Lakers. But the sense is that he will not leave Miami for reasons including his positive outlook on the roster and the team’s ability to offer a fifth year instead of the four years he will have from other teams.

"

Whether Rondo could be a useful addition at a discount rate is an argument worth having. But it also makes sense to consider Clarkson’s emergence this year in context of potential free-agent candidates like Rondo, Dragic and Brandon Knight of the Phoenix Suns.

It’s not so much a question of whether the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for March is as good as these candidates, but simply if his numbers as a starter put him in the same conversation. 

Jordan Clarkson	32.1 MPG	15.8 PTS	5.0 AST	4.2 REB	1.1 STL
Brandon Knight	31.5 MPG	17.3 PTS	5..3 AST	4.0 RBD	1.5 STL
Goran Dragic	33.8 MPG	16.3 PTS	4.5 AST	3.5 REB	1.0 STL
Rajon Rondo	29.7 MPG	8.9 PTS	7.9 AST	5.5 REB	1.3 STL

It should be noted that Clarkson’s stats for the year on the whole were a step down at 11.9 points and 3.5 dimes per game. But his breakout came in the starting five, and that’s where the comparisons are most relevant.

Clarkson had plenty of tutoring along the way this season, most notably from Kobe Bryant and the recently retired Steve Nash. Per Medina, the rookie appreciated the help from a couple of guards that have had some success in the league.

“I just listened. Don’t say nothing,” Clarkson explained. “Just tried to take what they said and put it on the court and in the game. It was just part of my learning process.”

There is also a sincere appreciation for a coach who took a lot of heat over the course of a plummeting season.

“I just want to thank coach just for giving me the opportunity, coming out on the limb and just throwing me into the fire,” Clarkson said, per Medina. “He spends a lot of time with me. ... It’s been great to be around him.”

Clarkson's coming of age would likely not have had the same significance during a playoff-bound year. But it is now part of a larger context of evolution by necessity—the reshaping of a team with an eye toward long-term solutions. The youth movement includes fellow rookies Julius Randle, Tarik Black and Jabari Brown—the latter having started alongside Clarkson at Mizzou.

And the roster will get even younger with the draft, setting the stage for an interesting balancing act for the remainder of the offseason.

Ultimately, Jordan Clarkson will not be a centerpiece that the Lakers build around this summer. But he is at least a valuable part of the foundation.

And that’s a good start.