Rumors: Lakers ‘open-minded’ to trading Jordan Clarkson
By Asha Doucet
More Lakers rumors are upon us and this time it involves third-year guard Jordan Clarkson, who the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly willing to move.
The NBA Draft is in just a few weeks and the latest Lakers rumors indicate the organization is open to a trade that would send Jordan Clarkson packing.
Clarkson, who embraced a sixth-man role for most of last season under head coach Luke Walton, has been one of the bright spots for L.A. during the team’s down years.
Before D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram were drafted Clarkson was a welcomed surprise in his rookie season for the Lakers.
But with L.A. likely to take a guard in the draft (Lonzo Ball), Clarkson’s time with the Lakers may be up. He averaged 14.7 points, 2.6 assists, and shot 44.5 percent from the field last season and will be heading into just his fourth season next year.
That makes him a good trade piece for L.A. and a young player other teams would be interested in.
Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders wrote about this possibility.
"“I’ve been told by someone in the know that the Lakers are “increasingly open-minded” about trading Jordan Clarkson and to not be surprised for him to end up being moved as soon as draft night. That’s conjecture at this point, as the Lakers need not rush to clear what may appear to be a logjam in the making."
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If the Lakers do trade Clarkson away, it seems as if they intend to shop him with Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng in an effort to get rid of one of those large contracts. But the bottom line is that L.A. is awaiting a third straight No.2 pick.
The guard they choose, even if his name is not Lonzo Ball, will conceivably run the backcourt with Russell (which we’ve seen work with Russell at the 2 during Clarkson’s time playing the 1). That means Clarkson, talented as he may be, is also expendable to the Lakers because the other young talent on the roster has higher ceilings.
Add the potential of L.A.’s upcoming No.2 pick and Clarkson is clearly the odd man out.
So should the Lakers consider trading Clarkson, absolutely! Between Clarkson, Russell and Ingram, he’s been in the league the longest and has shown what he will and will not be.
Although he doesn’t have the ceiling to be untouchable, he’s proved to be a good offensive weapon who at times can score at will; that’s why he’s a valuable trade piece for L.A.
If the Lakers can package Clarkson with Mozgov or Deng it will be worth it just to get rid of one of those unnecessarily large contracts. It’s a move that also ensures L.A. keeps the nucleus of their young core in Russell, Ingram and Julius Randle.
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What do you think about the Jordan Clarkson trade rumors? Do you think he is a young piece L.A. should keep? If they can package a trade with Clarkson and Luol Deng or Timofey Mozgov should they go for it? Let us know in the comment section.