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The Los Angeles Lakers selected Missouri point guard Jordan Clarkson with the No. 46 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft on Thursday night, a pick they acquired from the Washington Wizards, reportedly for a cash payment of just under $2 million.
Somewhat under the radar until later in the pre-draft process, Clarkson is a huge point guard with a versatile offensive repertoire. He was one of college basketball's best pick-and-roll operators, slicing to the rim at will and finishing strong in traffic. His jump shot isn't as reliable as the Lakers would surely like, but he's flashed 3-point range on occasion.
On the defensive end, Clarkson should be able to help check opposing players at either guard spot. With a 6-foot-8 wingspan and strong athletic testing numbers, he should prove a versatile piece that works well in a variety of lineup configurations.
Any second-round pick is going to be a valuable piece for the Lakers, who will appreciate the low cap-hold that comes with it and the flexibility to sign Clarkson to a team-friendly deal. If he can develop his outside shot, he could be a nice complement to Kobe Bryant and Julius Randle, playing off the ball when Bryant dominates and acting as a secondary ball-handler.
