The Los Angeles Lakers have taken the end of the season to get a good look at the younger players on the roster and see their potential. Much of the attention has gone towards rookie second-round pick Jordan Clarkson, but another rookie has played extremely well lately also.
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Tarik Black has been taking advantage of being in the starting lineup and is has looked like someone who could be a solid role player for the Lakers. According to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News, head coach Byron Scott seemed to indicate that Black will be back on the team next season:
We get another year to look at him,” Lakers coach Byron Scott said, “and see what he’s got and go from there.”
Black has a non-guaranteed contract for next season, so the Lakers could indeed let him to go to make room for someone else if they needed to. This is something that Black already experienced with the Houston Rockets, which is why he hopeful, but isn’t getting ahead of himself about the situation:
I would like to believe they would like to keep me. But going into the summer, you never know what will happen,” Black said. “Either way, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity and have been very fortunate with guys having my back 100 percent and carrying me along the way. That’s what I’m going to keep hanging my hat on.
In the month of April, Black is averaging more than 12 points and six rebounds on nearly 72 percent from the field. He has scored in double-figures in five of the Lakers six games in the month.
Black has provided energy and athleticism down low for the Lakers and as an undrafted rookie, still has room to go. It looks as if Black will be around next season, but with so many possibilities in the summer, nothing is for certain.
[divide]Tarik Black After Career-High Night