The Los Angeles Lakers are going to be an intriguing team to keep an eye on this offseason. After winning the NBA Finals over the Miami Heat, the Lakers will look to add even more talent around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Both Jeff Teague and Jordan Clarkson could be names to keep an eye on.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Clarkson and Teague could be ideal free agency targets for the Lakers this offseason. He also mentioned three other players who L.A. could pursue.
Some names to keep an eye on with the Lakers’ $9.3 million midlevel and $3.6 million bi-annual exceptions — including their own free agents Markieff Morris and Dwight Howard — are Jeff Teague, D.J. Augustin, Jordan Clarkson, Maurice Harkless and Nerlens Noel.
Both Teague and Clarkson would be intriguing additions for the Lakers. Los Angeles will need to find some help at point guard with the likelihood that Rajon Rondo will end up leaving. They also need more shooting and scoring, which Clarkson brings to the table.
During the 2019-20 NBA season split between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Atlanta Hawks, Teague ended up averaging 10.9 points and 5.2 assists. He could slide in nicely as the starting point guard for the Lakers.
Clarkson, on the other hand, found a perfect role for himself with the Utah Jazz after being traded there by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He averaged 15.6 points and shot 36.6 percent from the three-point line. While Clarkson may not start for the Lakers, he would be a valuable bench piece.
Los Angeles doesn’t have to make any star splashes this offseason. Rumors have connected them to names like Victor Oladipo and Russell Westbrook, but adding quality role players might be the better route.
Only time will tell what the Lakers choose to do this offseason. They could make a splash, but adding names like Jeff Teague and Jordan Clarkson would give them a very good chance of repeating as NBA champions next season.
