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Lakers Rumors: Jordan Clarkson will be traded for cap space if needed

By Kenneth Teape

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 5: Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw against the San Antonio Spurs on April 5, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 5: Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw against the San Antonio Spurs on April 5, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: If the Lakers can open up more cap space they would reportedly be willing to trade Jordan Clarkson and are confident they could move him.

With free agency winding down, there have not been as many Los Angeles Lakers rumors recently. The Lakers have filled their roster for the most part, as they have 16 players currently under contract. They have one more two-way deal they could give, but they will probably hold onto that through training camp to see who earns a roster spot.

With the roster pretty much intact there most likely won’t be any more roster moves for the Lakers. They could add some bodies for training camp, but those players will be longshots to receive a guaranteed deal.

Los Angeles did a majority of their roster changes prior to and during the 2017 NBA Draft. The Lakers were not overly active in free agency as they wanted to keep their future cap space open. Magic Johnson let it be known that they have their eye on the 2018 free agency class. As a result, the Lakers were only looking to sign players to one-year or 1+1 deals.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was the biggest acquisition for the Lakers in free agency. They signed him to a one-year, $18 million deal. It was the type of balloon deal that the Lakers were offering all offseason. George Hill and Dion Waiters were two players they targeted, but both signed long-term deals elsewhere.

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All of these efforts to conserve cap space this season is in hopes of landing a big fish next offseason. Paul George has made his intentions clear that he would like to play in Los Angeles. LeBron James is someone that would also reportedly consider the Lakers in free agency next offseason.

With multiple max-free agents on their wish list, the Lakers could have some maneuvering to do with their cap space. They moved Timofey Mozgov‘s contract this offseason, the first of a few necessary moves. Moving Mozgov cost the Lakers D’Angelo Russell, but it was a worthwhile move for the long-term outlook of the team.

If the Lakers want to make their possibilities of landing two max free agents come true, they will have to make a few other moves. One possibility would be to trade Jordan Clarkson.

Clarkson was involved in trade rumors earlier this offseason. He was one of the players offered to the Indiana Pacers in a package for George. George ended up being dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but Clarkson could still be on the block.

According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, Clarkson is someone the Lakers would be willing to move if it means making more cap space. Not only are they willing to do it, they are confident that it can happen according to Pincus.

"One person within the organization who isn’t permitted to speak publicly on the subject told Bleacher Report the team is confident it can move Clarkson if needed to open space."

Dealing Clarkson would leave the Lakers with a hole in their backcourt. He looks like he will fill the sixth man role as a combo guard off the bench. But, he is a product of the past regime. Johnson and Rob Pelinka have not been shy about moving players that Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss acquired, so it would not be shocking to see it happen again.

If the Lakers are able to move Clarkson and Luol Deng, the Lakers will have more than enough cap space next season for two max contracts. They could even retain someone such as Caldwell-Pope if they find a way to move Deng’s contract.

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Moving Clarkson is something that fans may not like to see this season, but it could pay big dividends in the offseason. If trading Clarkson means that the Lakers can sign multiple star players, it is a worthwhile risk to take.

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