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Jordan Clarkson Wants To Return To Lakers

By Kenneth Teape

Jan 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott talks with Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the first half of the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott talks with Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the first half of the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Lakers have a ton of money to spend this summer and Jordan Clarkson is hoping that part of it goes to him as he enters restricted free agency.

The Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up another poor season, finishing 2015-16 with a record of 17-65. That landed the Lakers the second pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, guaranteeing them one of either Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram.

That will be the first of what the organization is hoping is many additions to the roster this summer.

The Lakers are loaded with cap space and some young players, making them an intriguing destination for free agents.

DeMar DeRozan and Hassan Whiteside are expected to be targets for the Lakers this offseason as external options, but before then they have to make a decision about their own free agents.

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Jordan Clarkson is chief among them, as the two-year guard is set to hit restricted free agency. Clarkson has been one of the few bright spots for the Lakers since he entered the league as a second-round pick, 46th overall, in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Clarkson has averaged 14 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game in his two seasons, showcasing an ability to play both guard positions with athleticism matched by few players.

He should be a popular player in free agency, but the restricted tag may drive some teams away. That seems to be perfectly fine with Clarkson, who has expressed his desire to remain with the Lakers. He wants to stay in Los Angeles so much he isn’t even considering himself a free agent.

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"“I want to stay in L.A.,” Clarkson told Chris McGee of Time Warner Cable Sportsnet in a recent interview following a workout at the Lakers’ practice facility. “I don’t really look at it as me being a free agent, because I want to be here.”"

Clarkson also added that he has spent a lot of time at the Lakers’ facility since the season ended, looking to improve on his game. “[I’m shooting] a lot of threes. Trying to get my three-point percentage up for next year,” said Clarkson. “A lot of stuff off the dribble, a lot of stuff with contact and trying to be able to finish. That’s probably the biggest thing offensively.”

Clarkson also told McGee that new head coach, Luke Walton, told him that he likes when Clarkson is in attack mode going to the basket. As a result, Clarkson looks like he has put on some weight so that he can handle the rigors of attacking the basket and playing in the paint.

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