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Lakers Rumors: Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle were offered to Indiana Pacers

By Kenneth Teape

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 7: Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during a game against the Sacramento Kings on April 7, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 7: Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during a game against the Sacramento Kings on April 7, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: The Lakers attempted to acquire Paul George from the Indiana Pacers and now we know what the package was that they were offering.

Most of the Los Angeles Lakers rumors recently have revolved around the organization’s efforts to fill out the end of their roster. A lot of that focus has been on the backcourt, where the Lakers have undergone an overhaul.

The starting backcourt will be different in 2017-18 than it was in 2016-17. Gone are D’Angelo Russell and Nick Young. In their place are No. 2 overall pick from the 2017 NBA Draft, Lonzo Ball, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Gone off the bench is David Nwaba, who will most likely be replaced by No. 30 overall pick, Josh Hart.

The only holdovers in the backcourt from last season were Tyler Ennis and Jordan Clarkson. Ennis was re-signed this week to a two-year deal worth the minimum. The second year of the deal is a team option, making it a win-win situation for the Lakers. Ennis should handle most of the backup point guard minutes while also serving as a mentor to Ball.

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Clarkson, meanwhile, should take over the sixth man role for the Lakers. But, he was close to not even being on the roster.

Prior to the 2017 NBA Draft, the Lakers were hard at work attempting to make a trade. Los Angeles ended up trading Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for Brook Lopez and the 27th pick, but they were aiming higher.

The Lakers were looking to acquire Paul George from the Indiana Pacers. George let the Pacers know that he would not be returning to the team and said that the Lakers were his preferred destination.

There has been a lot of discussion about the George trade negotiations. George ended up being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. It was a deal that surprised plenty of people, and one that has been heavily scrutinized.

The Pacers were handcuffed in their negotiations. With George letting his intentions of hitting free agency be known, he was essentially a one-year rental. That lowered his trade value, but there were reportedly better offers out there than what the Thunder offered.

One of the teams that had a better offer on the table was the Lakers. According to Mark Medina of the Orange County Register, the Lakers did, in fact, offer Clarkson or Julius Randle along with the 27th and 28th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

George ended up in Oklahoma City, and the Lakers made other deals on draft night. They traded the 28th pick to the Utah Jazz for No. 30 and No. 42. The Lakers would have liked to land George, but they have to be happy with their offseason.

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While they didn’t land George, they upgraded their roster. Keeping Clarkson in the fold gives them another young player to help push the team forward and a potential trade chip down the road. Some fans may have been disappointed to not land a superstar, but the future outlook of the organization is still bright.

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