Jordan Clarkson (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
Jordan Clarkson is among the top tier free agents available in the market this summer who could have a significant raise from what their respective teams signed them in.
Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders chronicled a list of incoming free agents this summer and ranked those who are top tier and second tier quality. Among the list of top tier free agents alongside the likes of Kevin Durant, DeMar DeRozan and Lebron James, Los Angeles Lakers combo guard Jordan Clarkson is included.
Clarkson, who is set to become a restricted free agent, has established himself as one of the potential candidates to take over the Lakers following Kobe Bryant's retirement from the game. Clarkson, a second year guard out of Missouri, started all of his 79 games with the Lakers during the regular season with a career-high average of 15.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.
In Skyler's list of top tier free agents, Clarkson is the likeliest to get a substantial amount of raise, considering he only earned $845,059 this season. With Clarkson high on demand from other NBA rivals, the 23-year-old could receive max contract offers ranging from three to four year deals worth around $30-50 million.
As a restricted free agent, the Lakers have the right to match any offer sheet given to Clarkson by other teams. And with Clarkson being subjected to the Gilbert Arenas provision this summer, teams who wish to pry out the combo guard will be limited in what they can offer. With the Lakers having plenty of money to spend in free agency with a projected max cap space of $62.6 million, it would be easy for the Purple and Gold to match any offer and retain the services of Clarkson.
However, the Lakers have yet to show a genuine interest of signing back Clarkson, especially to a lucrative deal.
Clarkson has been one of the most consistent players in the Lakers' roster amid the team's abysmal season that saw them recording a franchise worst 17 wins and 65 losses. There is also no denying his potential to become a mainstay starter, but his defensive flaws could be an issue for the Lakers, with the team dead-last in the league in defensive efficiency, according to Team Rankings.
Retaining Clarkson should be one of the Lakers' main priorities in the offseason, considering how he was able to put up decent figures in spite of two-straight dismal seasons for the Lakers. But with more proven talents out there in the market, LA has some serious decision making to do regarding Clarkson's future with the Lakers.
