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Lakers rumors: Who’s the best member of young core?

By Keith Rivas

Jan 26, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton reacts during the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton reacts during the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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November 25, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) moves the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Ian Clark (21) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
November 25, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) moves the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Ian Clark (21) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Jordan Clarkson

Above anyone else on the list, Jordan Clarkson comes into the picture with the most to truly prove. Being in his third season now, Clarkson is responsible for showing the rest of the young core how to get and keep initiative.

All three seasons have been with Los Angeles after being drafted by Washington in 2014. He averaged a career-high 15.5 points per game last season, while scoring just over 14 per contest currently.

Clarkson also sets a lot of the tone in and out of the locker room.

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/824857783585558528

The Lakers tried to show they could depend on veterans from across the league in their off-season transactions, but that hasn’t exactly panned out. Luol Deng hasn’t helped too much, and Timofey Mozgov has been a non-factor.

Where Clarkson has problems is with rebounding and dishing out assists.

As it stands right now, he has less than three assists and rebounds per game. While he’s not a starter by default, a strong bench is key to sustainable success.

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