Knicks: Top 5 Free Agent Point Guards To Consider

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January 22, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) shoots against San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili (20) and forward David West (30) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Jordan Clarkson, RFA

2015-16 Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Age: 23

Slash Line: .433/.347/.804

Season Averages: 32.3 MPG, 15.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.4 3PM

The Los Angeles Lakers will have to determine how much they’re willing to pay to keep combo guard Jordan Clarkson in the purple and gold. He’s made intriguing progress during his first two NBA seasons, showing an ability to seamlessly transition from handling the duties of a point guard to that of an off-ball 2.

If Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks are willing to pay a hefty enough price, they could pry Clarkson loose from Los Angeles.

Clarkson’s upside has yet to be determined, but he’s already shown quite a lot in his two NBA seasons. For example, after making 38 3-point field goals on 31.4 percent shooting in 2014-15, he converted 111 on a mark of 34.7 percent in 2015-16.

He only made 19 corner 3s in 2015-16, but that’s up from his converting just four in 2014-15—a year during which he averaged 25.0 minutes per game.

Clarkson regressed as a facilitator in 2015-16, however, and that’s something that must be studied and acknowledged. The upside in his coming to New York is that point guards aren’t necessarily asked to facilitate the offense, but instead contribute to the constant motion and ball movement.

If all else fails, Clarkson is an explosive athlete and crafty dribble-penetrator with a strong work ethic—a combination of traits that should intrigue Phil Jackson enough to pay the man.

Next: The Facilitator

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