Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson has a serious opportunity to make some money this summer as a restricted free agent. Clarkson has broken out as a high-tier young talent prospect in the league, and he’s currently one of the Lakers’ hopeful core pieces for the future.
Since he is restricted, the Lakers will be able to match any offers presented to Clarkson, which he’s hoping they do. In an interview with Chris McGhee of Time Warner Cable, Clarkson stressed his disinterest in exploring free agency:
I want to stay in LA….I don’t really look at it as me being a free agent; I want to be here…
He (Luke) called me a few days after he got hired. We talked about the offensive system, what he sees in us young guys, where he sees the organization, the style we’re gonna play. I’m excited for him to come and work with us.
Clarkson has iterated his desire to remain with the Lakers several times now, and was excited about the Luke Walton hire. On the surface it feels like the Lakers will prioritize Clarkson and match any offer thrown his way, but it will be interesting to see the offers he does receive, and if anyone would be gutsy enough to make a bidding offer to test just how much the Lakers have prioritized Clarkson.
