D'Angelo Russell's Arrival Can't Stunt Jordan Clarkson's Growth for Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Lakers may have drafted a phenomenal prospect in D’Angelo Russell, but the team can’t let that overshadow Jordan Clarkson’s development.

Russell was the vaunted No. 2 draft pick in June, while Clarkson’s story is a familiar one to fans by now. Last year’s rookie sleeper came on strong in the second half of the season, averaging 15.8 points and 5.0 assists in 38 starts. His progress was so impressive that he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team after being picked No. 46 overall in the 2014 draft.

But the 23-year-old will spend more time at 2-guard in the fall, allowing Russell to play primarily to his strength as a playmaking point guard.

Appearing on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak spoke about the two players forming a backcourt duo moving forward:

It was only last winter that the team decided to transition Clarkson from an intriguing backup shooting guard to a potential point guard of the future, with Steve Nash lending a helping hand as a mentor. 

Per Bill Oram of the Orange County Register, Clarkson foresees continued workouts with Nash that will likely include Russell.

Head coach Byron Scott even went so far to suggest to Clarkson that he model his game after Chris Paul, per Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. Scott has a leg to stand on here—he was CP3’s first head coach, continuing in that role until partway through Paul’s fifth year in the league.

This isn’t to say Russell and Clarkson can’t coexist. In fact, they have each paid enthusiastic lip service to the concept.

“He’s a guy I could definitely play with,” Russell said of Clarkson, per Serena Winters of Lakers Nation. “He’s versatile. He can play on the ball or off the ball.”

Not to be outdone, Clarkson said of Russell, “He makes the game a lot easier for everyone,” per a Lakers Nation video.

Despite the appealing potential of what this pairing could be, they’ll have plenty of work to do as they learn to play together.

During the recently concluded Las Vegas Summer League, the two 6’5” guards started each game together. But they were also juggled in and out of the lineup—each taking turns as the initiator as well as handling off-ball duties.

Clarkson showed the benefit of a year in the league, averaging 16.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.8 turnovers per game. He did, however, go a little too uber-Russell Westbrook at times with his one-man-wrecking-crew determination.

The 19-year-old Russell mixed showmanship with raw rookie mistakes during his first NBA exposure, often pushing too hard and trying to do too many things. In a game against the New York Knicks, he had as many turnovers as he did points—eight of each.

“I’m trying to get better so fast instead of being patient and letting it come to me,” the rookie explained, per Bleacher Report’s Kevin Ding.

John Locher/Associated Press

Russell's timing improved as summer league went on, but he still averaged more turnovers (5.2 per game) than assists (3.2) in five games. 

The question isn’t whether the one-and-done Ohio State guard can succeed in the NBA—he has phenomenal court vision and passing ability. But how well will the two players work together, and will a focus on Russell stunt Clarkson’s growth?

Drew Garrison of Silver Screen & Roll writes that the learning curve for each guard makes their tandem development more questionable:

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Both excel with the ball in their hands, though in different areas. Clarkson's lightning first step, burst to the rim and athleticism make him dangerous, while Russell's ability to navigate the pick-and-roll, pick apart a defense with passing and his shooting touch set him apart. Finding a balance between them is going to be a challenge.

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Kupchak has also padded the ranks with the addition of reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams, a 6’1” scorer who can operate out of both guard positions. And the general manager may not be done yet. 

“Depending on how you look at it, we may look to bring another guard on board,” Kupchak said, per Medina. “We may not.”

There’s plenty of reasons to bolster the backcourt given the rash of injuries that have struck the Lakers in recent years. Also, Kobe Bryant is now in the twilight of his career.

Perhaps the supposition of Clarkson's development being compromised is premature. But it is also worth noting that last year’s second-round pick blossomed when given extra time and encouragement. He has an insatiable hunger to improve, and he was the brightest spot in a wretched season.

The rookie wasn’t content to rest on his All-Rookie honor after the season ended, per ESPN’s Baxter Holmes.

“I’ve got to come back again next year and put a whole year together,” Clarkson said. “I still have a lot to prove. I’ve got to keep working. I’m not satisfied.”

Despite self-criticism, there was a general feeling that Clarkson's evolution was strong enough to have a real impact on the team’s ongoing rebuild. In fact, Duke center Jahlil Okafor was the presumptive favorite as the Lakers’ No. 2 pick heading into the draft. But a shifting dynamic toward smaller lineups and increased emphasis on guard play made Russell the pick. 

There is certainly no indication yet that management blundered in its ultimate decision—selecting Russell could end up being a stroke of genius.

That acknowledged, it would also be wrong to sleep on Clarkson—a prospect with blinding speed, an intuitive ability to find the seams and, most importantly, a player who was learning how to make his teammates better.

A balancing act will play out this season, and it could extend further than 82 games. And that’s OK, so long as it breeds progress. 

But management can’t let the arrival of the next big thing hinder Clarkson’s growth. He is the diamond in the rough and potential building block who was already on board paying dividends long before Russell entered the picture.