AP: Clarkson Returns To Lakers For 4 Years, $50M
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jordan Clarkson has agreed to a four-year, $50 million deal to return to the Los Angeles Lakers, a person with knowledge of the details told The Associated Press on Friday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity morning because the deal hasn't been signed.
Clarkson is a rising star after two seasons with the Lakers, who acquired the 46th overall pick from Washington on draft night in 2014. The Missouri product has been a steady scorer and a rare bright spot on the two worst teams in Lakers history.
After averaging 11.9 points per game and making the NBA's All-Rookie team in the 2014-15 season, he boosted his production to 15.5 points last season, second-most on the team behind Kobe Bryant.
Clarkson started 79 games last season, teaming up with D'Angelo Russell in the Lakers' intriguing young backcourt. Although they didn't win many games, they showed more than enough promise for the Lakers to keep them together in the core of a young roster that also includes forwards Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr. along with Brandon Ingram, the No. 2 overall pick in last month's draft.
The smooth-shooting San Antonio native added 4.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game to his scoring output while playing a team-high 32.5 minutes per game. He also capably handled a transition to shooting guard after largely playing as a point guard during his rookie season.
The Lakers extended a qualifying offer to Clarkson on Thursday, making him a restricted free agent and allowing them to match any offer made to him by another team. Clarkson had repeatedly said he didn't intend to leave the Lakers, considering his new contract a formality.
After finishing a franchise-worst 17-65 last season, the Lakers are moving quickly to use their estimated $55 million in salary cap room during the opening hours of free agency.
Earlier Thursday night, a source confirmed to the AP that Los Angeles reached agreement with Russian center Timofey Mozgov on a four-year, $64 million free-agent contract.
Los Angeles also made qualifying offers to Tarik Black and Marcelo Huertas.
(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
