With Kobe Bryant done for the year, the Los Angeles Lakers likely have no chance of pulling off a miracle run to the playoffs. Right now, the team must begin focusing on the future and which players will stay and which will go before the Lakers prepare a big run in free agency. Los Angeles is looking to get big names this upcoming offseason to help support Bryant, but they might have some solid future options already on the roster.
The Lakers have been dealing with point guard issues all season. Steve Nash was penciled in as the starter until he could not even make it out of training camp before getting injured and ruled out for the year. Jeremy Lin then took over the starting job and has struggled heavily in the position, getting benched multiple times. However, rookie Jordan Clarkson is starting to show some real potential, leaving head coach Byron Scott to consider inserting him into the starting job over Lin.
"You gotta learn," Scott said, via ESPNLosAngeles.com. "Sometimes you have to throw a guy in the fire and see what he's made of. I thought Jordan kind of fell on his face for a few minutes, but obviously kept his composure, gathered himself and played really well in the second overtime. I think we have a pretty good basketball player in this young kid. When he falls on his face, he gets right back up. He wants to get better; he works his butt off every single day."
Scott tossed Clarkson onto the court when the team beat the Chicago Bulls after Lin continued to struggle. He finished the game with 18 points, four rebounds and four assists against the Eastern Conference team all while earning the confidence of his head coach. During his time as a starter, Clarkson is averaging 13.8 points on 40.4 percent shooting which shows the Lakers might have something solid in the rookie.
If Clarkson can continue to develop, he could be key for the Lakers in the coming seasons. With Nash and Lin preparing to exit in free agency, the Lakers were planning on chasing after Rajon Rondo, but his trade to the Dallas Mavericks will likely derail that plan. Now, the team must enter a bidding war for players like Goran Dragic or Reggie Jackson. There is a chance they could get a trade for someone like Brandon Jennings who was being tossed around prior to his injury. If Clarkson continues to thrive, the Lakers might not need to go as big at the position in free agency as originally assumed.
