Lakers' Jordan Clarkson hoping for playoffs in 2015-16

Jordan Clarkson is an optimist, give him that much.

The Los Angeles Lakers sophomore made an appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio on Wednesday, and when asked about his outlook for the 2015-16 season, he revealed that he's shooting for a lofty bar.

"We definitely want to win games and hopefully make the playoffs," Clarkson said. "Taking it one day at a time."

Clarkson, or any player, isn't going to say anything other than they're hoping for a playoff berth. It would be terrible fan relationship management, it would serve no purpose, and Clarkson probably believes the Lakers have a legitimate shot.

They almost surely don't, but his belief just shows how professional athletes operate. The Lakers should be improved, to be sure, but jumping from 21 wins to playoff contention in the Western Conference would be nearly impossible in a single offseason.

Clarkson showed marked improvement throughout his rookie year, D'Angelo Russell should infuse some additional offensive creativity, Julius Randle is essentially a rookie again, Roy Hibbert has been brought in to anchor the defense, Lou Williams will prop up the second unit, and 36-year-old Kobe Bryant may be luckier on the injury front in his 20th season.

That's all great, and again, the Lakers could be better. But far more important than their win total this season is developing their young players, that they've maintained terrific salary cap flexibility for next summer, and that if they're not good, they'll retain their first-round pick if it falls in the top-three.

Patience isn't something Lakers fans have long had to practice, but they seem to be buying in to the youth movement, if their Summer League television ratings are any indication.