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Lakers Rumors: Team would love to trade Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle

By Kenneth Teape

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: Alexis Ajinca #42 of the New Orleans Pelicans is double teamed by Jordan Clarkson #6 and Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of the basketball game at Staples Center April 11, 2017, 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. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: Alexis Ajinca #42 of the New Orleans Pelicans is double teamed by Jordan Clarkson #6 and Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of the basketball game at Staples Center April 11, 2017, 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. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: According to reports, the Lakers would ‘love’ to trade Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle.

Los Angeles Lakers rumors are going to be heating up in the coming weeks. With the team struggling and the NBA Trade Deadline quickly approaching, the Lakers could look to shake things up to try and find a spark.

Trade rumors are nothing new for the Lakers this year. During the offseason, they were involved in numerous rumors with the Indiana Pacers centered around Paul George. None of those trades came to fruition, as George was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

While the Lakers were unable to land George this past summer, their pursuit of him is not over. Los Angeles will presumably be in the running this summer for his services once again when he hits the free agent market.

It is an open secret that the Lakers are hoping to land two max free agents this upcoming summer. LeBron James, DeMarcus Cousins and George are at the top of every Lakers fans list. Magic Johnson has let it be known that the team is looking forward to the Summer of 2018 as well.

For the Lakers to accomplish their goal of landing two max players, some things need to be accomplished first. Namely, slashing some more payroll.

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The easiest way to get this done is to rid themselves of Luol Deng. Deng’s contract was an albatross the second it was agreed upon, as Johnson and Rob Pelinka got stuck with the deal from the old regime.

Moving Deng is easier said than done. No one wants a 32-year old forward whose best years are behind him, isn’t in the rotation for this Lakers team and played poorly last season. The Lakers have essentially given up on the idea of trading Deng as he generates no interest in the trade market.

However, the Lakers do have some attractive, tradeable assets other teams could have interest in. Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle would be two players at the top of that list.

The Lakers have already attempted to trade both Clarkson and Randle this year. They were both a part of the package that was being offered to the Pacers, which Indiana turned down.

Clarkson has been mentioned in plenty of trade rumors. At the beginning of August, it was reported that the Lakers were confident they could move Clarkson if it meant clearing cap space. Earlier this month rumors picked up again that Clarkson could be on the move this season.

Randle has not been exempt from these rumors, either. He was rumored to be a part of a trade package to the Dallas Mavericks earlier this season.

Both remain on the roster now, but according to Tania Ganguli of Lakers Nation, the Lakers would be very interested in trading away either one of Clarkson or Randle or even possibly both.

"Randle’s situation is worth watching, though. The Lakers would love to trade him if they could, and Jordan Clarkson fits in that category too. Both players know they have been offered in trades by the Lakers, and they’re handling it in different ways."

The handling of different ways has been evident. Right off the bat, Clarkson has embraced his role that he was given this season. He is doing his best as the sixth man and excelling. Randle, on the other hand, needed some more coaxing into his bench role. He has taken to it more as the season has gone on, but we have seen his minutes fluctuate throughout the season.

Clarkson has received a more consistent role, and rightfully so, as he has been the more consistent, productive player.

This will be a situation worth monitoring. The Lakers have no incentive to lose games this season. They do not own their first-round draft pick, and free agents will not want to play for a team that is showing no progress.

Trading away Clarkson and or Randle could land the Lakers another first round pick to use as a building block. It would also clear more cap space, which is the team’s ultimate goal.

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Which direction will they head in? We will have to wait and find out as the NBA Trade Deadline is in about six weeks.

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