Jordan Clarkson: The Dilemma

A Balance Of Powers

There are some key differences between Jordan Clarkson and Monta Ellis that should give Lakers fans hope that the pairing of Clarkson and Russell is indeed the team’s starting back court of the future.

One of the main differences is that Clarkson is still in just his second NBA season, whereas Ellis was already midway through his seventh season when the Warriors decided to trade him.

Even though Clarkson is 23 now, and Ellis was 26 at the time of the trade, (not a huge gap in and of itself) there is a vast disparity between having seven years of NBA-level development, versus only two.

In other words, Ellis, for better or worse, was already the player he was going to be when the Warriors decided he was no longer a part of their future. Clarkson, on the other hand, is not.

The Lakers can and should continue developing Clarkson into the player they need him to be in order to play alongside D’Angelo Russell.

Now, if Clarkson had already entered his prime, with D’Angelo still being a rookie, a trade might start to make more sense.

However, a four-year age gap (Russell is 19) means that both guards can and will continue to develop — and most importantly develop together.

There’s little doubt that Russell will be the Lakers’ point guard of the future — his incredible passing guarantees that.

So Clarkson’s need to the team should be judged on whether or not he can develop into a capable two guard. When you look at starting NBA two-guards, you want someone who can defend well on the wing, while also playing off-ball and facilitating when needed in order to give the primary ball-handler a break.

Clarkson can do all of those things, and if he continues to increase his 3-point shooting % (up from 31.4% last season to 33.1% this season) he should have no problem developing into an NBA caliber starting shooting guard.

Of course, if a trade presents itself in the future, that would net the Lakers better assets, for more pressing team needs, then by all means trade Clarkson.

Also worth noting for defensive purposes is Clarkson and D’Angelo’s improved height over the combination of Ellis and Curry.

Both Clarkson and Russell are 6’5″, whereas both Ellis and Curry measured at just 6’3″.

This will allow the Lakers backcourt to switch on perimeter action in a way that the Warriors backcourt simply wouldn’t have been able to.

In short, as long as the Lakers develop Clarkson properly, who has by the way already proved himself to be a hard worker, there should be no reason that the team faces a similar decision to the one the Warriors faced with Ellis a few years ago.

If all goes according to plan, Clarkson and Russell should be the Lakers starting backcourt for many years to come.

Next: Take 2 - Mehdi Bouneb