LOS ANGELES _ The Los Angeles Lakers stayed connected with one of their own on the first full day of free agency, agreeing to terms with guard Jordan Clarkson on a four-year, $50-million deal early Friday.
They liked the career arc of their 2014 second-round pick, privately touting his potential and work ethic, and planned to keep the restricted free agent even if he signed an offer sheet with another team, at which point the Lakers would have matched it.
Clarkson, 24, made $845,000 last season. A person familiar with his thinking called the deal "great news."
The Lakers have more than $30 million left to spend toward next season's payroll. They are still seeking a small forward and could be "in the mix" for Maurice Harkless, according to a person familiar with his thinking.
Harkless, 23, averaged only 6.4 points and 3.6 rebounds last season with Portland. He fared better in the playoffs, scoring double figures in seven consecutive games against the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State.
The Lakers were highly interested in small forward Nicolas Batum but he agreed to stay with Charlotte for a reported $120 million over five years. Atlanta's Kent Bazemore, a former Lakers player, was reportedly offered four years and $72 million by the Lakers and accepted slightly less money to stay with the Hawks, according to NBA.com.
As such, the Lakers currently envision plugging rookie Brandon Ingram into the starting lineup. Veteran Nick Young has two more years on his contract totaling $11 million, but it will be a surprise if he's not traded or waived before training camp.
Clarkson averaged 15.5 points, four rebounds and 2.4 assists in his second NBA season.
In the first hour of free agency, the Lakers agreed to terms with free-agent center Timofey Mozgov on a four-year, $64-million contract. He averaged 6.9 points and five rebounds in six NBA seasons. He turns 30 next week.
