Jordan Clarkson, Los Angeles Lakers
After making a splash as a rookie, the book on Jordan Clarkson quickly became one of an inefficient volume scorer that yielded little defensive value. However, there’s no denying his explosive potential offensively. When he’s hot, he’s really hot.
Earlier this month, he helped the LA Lakers capture a 13-point win over the Indiana Pacers by scoring 33 points on 14-of-19 shooting and adding seven rebounds and seven assists. He followed that up with 29 points, 10 assists, six boards and three steals against the New York Knicks the very next game.
Some would argue that he’s a smaller, less rangy Rodney Hood, but I like his ball skills and overall firepower much better. Moreover, while Hood could get a big payday in free agency, Clarkson is locked-in until 2020 at an average salary of just $12.5 mil per year. That’s pretty ho-hum for a high-level scorer.
Call me crazy, but I like the sound of a Mitchell-Clarkson-Dante Exum backcourt rotation.
Next: Memphis Grizzlies