Like many teams, the Los Angeles Lakers have their sights set on the offseason. The team has officially been eliminated from the playoffs and will now simply focus on finishing out the year and preparing to make a lot of moves in free agency. Los Angeles will have cap space to burn and are creating a wishlist of several big names. However, while current players audition for a roster spot for next season, is rising success altering the free agent plans in Los Angeles.
A lone bright spot for the Lakers this season is rookie point guard Jordan Clarkson. The second-round draft pick is proving to be a real steal for the Lakers as the back point guard is currently thriving with a bigger role in the offense. Since the All-Star break, Clarkson has been averaging around 15.6 points per game as head coach Byron Scott believes he is creating a long-term role for himself. Even the departing Steve Nash believes Clarkson has a good future ahead of himself.
"You start seeing some of the stuff that Steve is talking with him about," Scott said, via the OC Register. "Sometimes it's easier to relate to a player like that than it is to us as coaches. Because we're sitting there saying, 'The pocket pass is open. Jordan, the pocket pass is open.' Steve is showing you how to throw it in his own unique way, I think is even more important."
The question now becomes whether or not the Lakers are grooming Clarkson to be the future of the franchise or whether they are putting him on display to get a trade deal. According to the Los Angeles Daily News, the Lakers are still in the running for Rajon Rondo. The point guard confirmed to the media that Kobe Bryant was recruiting him to the Lakers, but gave no further hints about his free agency status. If Clarkson succeeds, is Rondo still a priority moving forward?
The Daily News continues to report that Love is a priority as well should the forward opt to the leave the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Lakers can offer Love a max contract and a chance to return home to the West Coast. However, Rondo will also want a max deal and the Lakers are likely only hand out one of those contracts. They will have to prioritize players in the offseason.