Lakers Rumors: Hassan Whiteside, Jordan Clarkson and 2016 NBA Draft Buzz
The Los Angeles Lakers have a lot to do to rebuild themselves into a contender, making them—as always—one of the more intriguing teams to watch this offseason.
With that in mind, let's take a deep dive into some of the rumors swirling around the team as the 2016 NBA draft on June 23 and free agency in July loom.
Hassan Whiteside, C, Miami Heat
Hassan Whiteside is going to be one of the top free agents available this summer, assuming the Miami Heat don't retain him, and the Los Angeles Lakers would make sense as a suitor for his services.
Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders broke down Whiteside's pending free agency and L.A.'s potential interest:
"The narrative around Whiteside has been that he’d like to stay in Miami. He’s comfortable there, has had success there and they can pay him the most money of any team in the league. Assuming that’s the offer from the Heat, there is a better than average chance he signs a new deal. If the Heat try to play games, sources close to the situation say Whiteside will go shopping.
There is a sense that Whiteside is one of the top names on the Lakers’ wish list of free agents, with the Boston Celtics also interested. The problem with trying to peg either as having some edge over the other neglects that Whiteside could be the most obtainable free agent in the class and likely gets a lot of interest beyond those two suitors.
League sources said this weekend that Whiteside is getting a full max deal—the question is will it be from the Heat or someone else?
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Indeed, Whiteside is likely to have more than just two or three suitors. His defensive presence alone will make him valuable to teams looking to bolster down on the block.
Whiteside, 27 as of Monday, averaged 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game this season, anchoring the post for the Heat. He has shown marked improvement since joining Miami before the 2014-15 season and is now one of the league's most impactful defensive players.
Miami would likely love to keep him, but its financial situation—Dwyane Wade is also going to command a big contract, meaning the Heat will be strapped financially if they also offer Whiteside a max contract—will make things tricky.
That may allow a team like the Lakers to move in and pair Whiteside with Julius Randle, D'Angelo Russell or Jordan Clarkson if they retain him—more on that below—and whomever ends up being the No. 2 overall pick to form a solid, young core.
Jordan Clarkson, G, Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers surely want Jordan Clarkson back. Just 24, he averaged 15.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game with the team in just his second NBA season.
And the Lakers will have every opportunity to keep him. Since he's a restricted free agent, they can match any offer sent his way or extend him before he's even eligible to talk with other teams.
The latter might be the smartest course of action.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN.com, "Restricted Lakers guard Clarkson also has fans in the New York Knicks organization, but it seems as if Los Angeles will retain the second-year player."
Clarkson, for what it's worth, isn't worried about that just yet.
“I don’t know. I’m not even looking at that kind of stuff. They [his representation, Octagon] can take care of all the money stuff,” Clarkson said, per Mark Medina of the Orange County Register.
It would be ridiculous for the Lakers to let the young Clarkson go, especially after all of the development he's shown in the past two years. He's a crucial part of the team's improving young core, and L.A. should lock him up to an extension.
Draft Buzz
The Lakers will surely be busy in free agency, but nothing this offseason will impact their future more than the NBA draft. The team is holding the No. 2 selection, and the prevailing belief has been that it will either draft LSU's Ben Simmons or Duke's Brandon Ingram—whomever the Philadelphia 76ers don't pick with the top overall selection.
If Ingram is available at No. 2, the Lakers seem likely to pounce.
According to Chad Ford of ESPN Insider, "Simmons seems unconcerned about where he goes. His agent has yet to commit to his working out anywhere, including Philadelphia and Los Angeles. It likely won't matter. Sources say the Sixers are strongly leaning toward taking Simmons No. 1. If they don't, the Lakers will jump on him at No. 2."
That shouldn't surprise anyone.
Where things could get interesting, however, is if the Lakers decide to pass on Ingram at No. 2. That could open the door to some possibilities. Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times speculated on one of them:
Oklahoma's Buddy Hield would be an interesting choice. He's as polished a scorer as there is in this draft, but it would create an interesting situation at guard for the Lakers, with Russell and Clarkson already available in the backcourt.
Of course, it's just as likely the Lakers are doing their due diligence. It's hard to imagine them passing on a unique talent like Ingram if he's available. But little is guaranteed at the NBA draft, and the Lakers are wise to keep their cards close to their chest.
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