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The Los Angeles Lakers field a talented roster that is poised to defend their crown as NBA champions and there are former members of the team who are thriving elsewhere. Due to their impressive play to begin the season, Magic Johnson believes Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson will be adding some hardware to their collection this year.
I’m so happy for two young former Lakers, NY Knicks’ Julius Randle and Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson. Julius Randle will be an All Star this season with his play and Jordan Clarkson is on pace to win the Sixth Man of the Year award.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 29, 2021
Randle is playing a career-high 36.6 minutes per game and he's taken advantage of having an expanded role for the New York Knicks. The former seventh-overall selection of the Lakers is averaging a career-best 22.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, and six assists per game.
He's also shooting a career-high 34.7 percent from beyond the arc, proving that he's spent time rounding out his game. While the Knicks hold the eighth-best record in the Eastern Conference at 9-11, Randle leads New York in points, rebounds, and assists per game. As a result, he could have a chance to make his first career All-Star appearance this season.
On the other hand, Clarkson is currently performing well as a key role player for the Utah Jazz. Clarkson, who was a rookie with the Lakers in 2014-2015, is the first player off of the bench for the Jazz.
Through Utah's first 19 games, Clarkson is contributing a career-best 17.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting a career-best 38.5 percent from three-point range. Seeing that the Jazz own the best record in the NBA at 15-4, Clarkson could be in line to receive the Sixth Man of the Year award.
Even though Randle and Clarkson are no longer members of the Lakers, Johnson is impressed by what he's seeing from the former Los Angeles youngsters.
