Jordan Clarkson has been a pleasant surprise ever since he was drafted in the second round of 2014’s NBA Draft. Today, the Lakers made him a qualifying offer, which makes Clarkson a restricted free agent. The Lakers can match any offer sheet Clarkson is signed to and he will have at least one suitor outside of Los Angeles, according to USA Today’s Sam Amick.
With Lakers announcing Jordan Clarkson is now a restricted free agent, something to watch for: Philly possibly coming with an offer sheet.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 30, 2016
The 76ers could sign Clarkson to an offer sheet, but it is an almost certainty that the Lakers will match any sheet their guard is signed to. Quite simply, the Lakers are protected by the Gilbert Arenas provision, limiting the money other teams can offer Clarkson in order to make it easier for the Lakers to retain him.
Philadelphia is not the only team to have interest in Clarkson, with the Knicks also having expressed an affinity for the former Missouri guard.
To end all worries about Clarkson leaving– he’s not going anywhere. The Lakers are, despite popular belief, competent enough to bring Clarkson back. If they aren’t facing enough pressure from fans, maybe they’ll be feeling it from their franchise point guard:
JJJJJJJJ CCCCCCCC 🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽
— D’Angelo Russell (@Dloading) July 1, 2016
D’Angelo Russell wants his friend and backcourt mate back just as much we all do.
