The Los Angeles Lakers are a young and struggling team, tied for the worst record in the NBA’s Western Conference. Rookie point guard Lonzo Ball is playing poorly, and his outspoken father, Lavar, is a never ending distraction. The team’s most important concern is whether it will be able to use legacy and location to lure the best free agents, including LeBron James, this offseason.
Former Missouri guard Jordan Clarkson, however, has not been one of the things Lakers coach Luke Walton has had to worry about. In his fourth year with the franchise, Clarkson is a steady performer and a veteran for a team that has few of either.