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Knicks Rumors: Pros And Cons Of Pursuing Jordan Clarkson

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) dunks over Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Kings won 112-93. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) dunks over Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Kings won 112-93. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Knicks are reportedly interest in signing restricted free agent combo guard Jordan Clarkson. What would the pros and cons of that signing be?

Jan 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) dunks over Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Kings won 112-93. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) dunks over Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Kings won 112-93. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Knicks are in desperate need of an upgrade at both backcourt positions. There’s an abundance of upside at point guard, and Arron Afflalo could opt into his contract at the 2, but New York needs more immediate firepower.

There aren’t many free agent guards who fit the bill of what New York needs better than Jordan Clarkson.

Clarkson will be a restricted free agent, thus enabling the Los Angeles Lakers to match any contract offer he receives. The Knicks will have an opportunity to outbid the Lakers, however, and have the cap space to do so.

According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Clarkson has fans within the Knicks’ front office.

"Restricted [free agent] Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson also has fans in the Knicks organization, but it seems as if Los Angeles will retain the second-year player."

It’s hardly surprising that the Knicks are interested in Clarkson.

Clarkson was selected at No. 46 overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, and immediately silenced his critics. He averaged 11.9 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.2 rebounds on 44.8 percent shooting as a rookie, and played upwards of 30 minutes per game in 2015-16.

In those 32.3 minutes of action, Clarkson averaged 15.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.4 3-point field goals made on a slash line of .433/.347/.804.

Clarkson scored 20-plus points in 20 different games, had a 30-point eruption, and exceeded 15 points 42 times. For a second-year player who shared touches with ball-dominant guards Kobe Bryant and D’Angelo Russell, that’s quite impressive.

The question is, should the Knicks commit to outbidding the Lakers for Clarkson’s services?

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