Lake Show Life
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: Why they should trade Jordan Clarkson

By Phillip Hawkins

SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on November 22, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on November 22, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Los Angeles Lakers will have a lot of tough decisions to make before the trade deadline. Is trading Jordan Clarkson the right move?

Yes, Jordan Clarkson is a valuable part to the Los Angeles Lakers this year, but the NBA is a business.  Having a solid season coming off the bench, trading Clarkson would be a blow to the team.

With everything he brings to the team now, trading him could pay off in the long run for the Lakers.  Here are just a few reasons why the Lakers need to trade Clarkson before the February 8th trade deadline.

Free Up Cap Space

Clarkson has three years left remaining on his contract with the Lakers.  Over that three-year span he will be owed almost 12 million dollars.  With the Lakers wanting to be key players in the free agent market, creating cap space is crucial.

At the moment the Lakers have enough money to sign one player to a max contract, but it’s on the record that they want to try and bring in two superstar players.  With guys like Paul George, Lebron James, and DeMarcus Cousins all free agents after this year, expect Magic Johnson to take a risk and trade Clarkson to try and lure two big name players to the Lakers.

Draft Picks

It looks like this year will be another season of the Lakers missing the playoffs once again.  With one of the worst five records in the league getting a top five draft pick would have bene huge.  However, trading away their first round pick for this year the Lakers are in need of a first round pick.

Trading a solid player like Clarkson to potential playoff team would give them the chance to get their pick.  In a stacked draft class like this one missing out on a top pick could hurt the Lakers if they don’t land anyone in free agency.  If the Lakers do indeed trade Clarkson, look for the Lakers to get a first round pick in return.

Next: Ranking the 50 greatest Lakers of all-time

Magic Johnson is always unpredictable so we’ll see what he has up his sleeve in the coming weeks.  Get ready Laker Nation because the Lakers will be very active come the trade deadline.

Home/Lakers News