Los Angeles Lakers: Complete 2016 Offseason Grades

Los Angeles Lakers: 2016 Offseason Grades

July 5, 2016; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers draft picks Brandon Ingram and Ivica Zubac pose with vice president of basketball operation Jim Buss following their introductory press conference at Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

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April 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) dunks to score a basket against Utah Jazz during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Keeping Clarkson

The Mozgov signing was truly astounding, but the Lakers took care of an important piece of business by re-signing Jordan Clarkson to a four-year, $50 million bargain extension.

Heading into restricted free agency, Clarkson has done little to prove he’s a franchise point guard, settling instead for being a high-volume, semi-efficient scorer. Last season, the 24-year-old Clarkson averaged a career-high 15.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game on .433/.347/.804 shooting splits.

Jordan Clarkson's 4 year, $50 million deal would be equivalent to $37.2 mil on last year's cap.
— Cameron (@ThatManCam) July 1, 2016

With Kobe playing in his last season, rookie D’Angelo Russell entering the fold, reigning Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams signing on and Nick Young still being Nick Young, the Lakers had tons of guards who needed the ball last year, but Clarkson somehow averaged the second most points and shot attempts behind Kobe.

He’ll need to become a more well-rounded player (or at least a more efficient scorer), but paying $12.5 million a season for a talented youngster like this is chump change under the new salary cap. Now we get to see what Clarkson can do with extra shots to go around.

Grade: A-

Next: Deng Deal

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