Lakers News: Latest on Jordan Clarkson, Free-Agency Plans and More

When it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers, almost any news is good news right now with free agency on approach. 

Barring a physical setback for a player, headlines mean the march toward the new era under head coach Luke Walton continues in earnest. Said march includes getting the young roster ready for a new season and the front office pushing for big names on the market.

General manager Mitch Kupchak has the Lakers looking like one of the most interesting teams in the Association with the D'Angelo Russell-Brandon Ingram-Julius Randle core. He might try to add to it, but even if he doesn't, it's hard not to sense the optimism.

The news below follows such a theme, with the Lakers hard at work getting guys in the fold and keeping them there.

 

Ivica Zubac's Readiness

The Lakers couldn't go wrong at No. 2, selecting the guy who slipped through the cracks after the Philadelphia 76ers walked to the podium. 

No. 32 was a different story, though, with some fans surely left scratching their heads when the team called Ivica Zubac's name.

Zubac, a 7'1", 240-pound center out of Croatia, excels on the offensive end of the court in the low post, but struggles with rebounding and rim protection. Still, he's 19 years old, and such size doesn't usually fall so far.

Most had to figure the Lakers would stash Zubac and call it a day, but Kupchak seemed to think otherwise in a recent interview, according to Lakers.com's Joey Ramirez: "I believe he would like to play next year and we wouldn’t be opposed to that."

Kupchak went on to note Zubac won't play in the D-League, so it's even more interesting to hear the rookie might make the roster. So keep in mind the young, rebuilding team might have a 7'1" center hopping on board next season if the Lakers fail to go out and address the position well in free agency.

And honestly, there ar...

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