The future is looking bright for the Los Angeles Lakers. In addition to it’s promising young core led by Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and D’Angelo Russell, the team kept the second overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. Perhaps most importantly, the Lakers hired Luke Walton to be the new head coach.
While young, Walton will bring a championship pedigree, having won titles with the Lakers as a player and one as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors last season. He will also be bringing in a new offensive system, and that will benefit the young core.
In an interview on Power 106 LA, Clarkson had a very positive view of Walton’s offensive system and believes the young core should be excited:
“I think it’s dope, it fits us really well. We got a lot of guys that can do a lot of things. Julius (Randle), D’Angelo (Russell), Larry Nance, including myself so I think it’s something we should be excited for.”
Clarkson also added that he is ready for the Warriors’ season to be done so Walton can come down and start getting to work:
“I was real excited when I heard he got hired. It’s kinda one of those things where we’re just kinda waiting for (Warriors) to be done so he can come and start working.”
Clarkson stopped short of saying he was rooting against the Warriors in their Western Conference Finals matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the message is clear that he and the rest of the Lakers are excited about this change and are ready to get to work.
In addition to his thoughts on Walton, Clarkson also spoke about how weird it will be to not have Kobe with the team and suggested that the team leave his jersey and shoes in his locker.