After following up an impressive rookie season with another solid year as one of the most consistent players for the Los Angeles Lakers, Jordan Clarkson is far from content with his game. Clarkson is already working on what he wants to improve for next season.
It will be a big offseason for Clarkson with the Missouri product set to become a restricted free agent in July. Along with preparing for free agency, Clarkson is determined to improve his three-point shooting. The soon-to-be 24-year-old said the following about his offseason focus in an interview with Michael Pina of Bleacher Report:
“What I’ve been focused on recently is a lot of shots off the dribble, coming off screens. Mostly just boosting my three-point percentage,” he explained afterward. “There’s times where, in the game, I have to shoot those kind of shots, and I just want to be able to make them.”
In 79 games, Clarkson shot 34.7 percent from the three-point line which is slightly improved from his rookie year where he shot 31.4 percent from beyond the arc.
“The goal for me is to raise my three-point percentage and just become more effective on the offensive end in terms of taking good shots. I know sometimes I rush into shots. And then finishing at the rim and trying to get to the free-throw line,” he said.
With the NBA turning into a league which is dominated by teams that thrive from the three-point line, Clarkson is trying to be ahead of the curve and will get his opportunity to flourish from deep under head coach Luke Walton next season.
Walton has said he plans on running a similar offense to the Golden State Warriors in Los Angeles. Clarkson and D’Angelo Russell will more than likely be the focus of the team’s offensive gameplan meaning more shots for both players with a good amount coming from beyond the arc.