Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors reveal another team, the New Orleans Pelicans, made trade offers for Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle.
The duo of Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle have found themselves in the middle of Los Angeles Lakers rumors for months. They have been shopped since the 2017 NBA Draft when the Lakers were going hard for Paul George.
While George ended up being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the rumors still persisted around Clarkson and Randle. It was no secret that the Lakers were looking to clear cap space to become players in free agency this summer. Trading Clarkson or Randle was thought to believe the way to do that.
Recently, the Lakers tune is changing in regards to their 2018 free agency plans. The Lakers are now putting more focus on the 2019 class, which will impact their plans leading up to the NBA Trade Deadline this afternoon and in the upcoming offseason.
One change is the insistence on trading Clarkson or Randle. Earlier in the season, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that either one or both of them would be traded. At the end of the December, it was reported that the Lakers would love to trade both of them, so the change in tune is surprising, to say the least.
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According to reports, it is 50/50 right now if the Lakers trade Clarkson or Randle. With the team improving in recent weeks, trading away two key members of the rotation may not be worth it.
While the Lakers may be changing their stance on trades, that doesn’t mean teams will stop making offers.
We have learned that the Dallas Mavericks have shown interest in Randle. The Cleveland Cavaliers also had discussions with the Lakers. Now, another team has emerged.
According to Michael Scotto of The Athletic, the New Orleans Pelicans made offers for both Clarkson and Randle.
"Before trading for Mirotic, New Orleans kicked the tires on trade talks with the Lakers. New Orleans proposed its 2018 first-round pick and Asik to the Lakers for guard Jordan Clarkson, league sources told The Athletic. New Orleans also proposed trading Alexis Ajinca and a second-round pick to the Lakers for forward Julius Randle, according to league sources."
The Pelicans suffered a horrible injury when DeMarcus Cousins tore his Achilles. Cousins was having an excellent season, so the Pelicans were looking for avenues to help replace his production. Clarkson and Randle could have helped the cause.
However, they found a deal with the Chicago Bulls instead for Mirotic. It would have been unlikely that a team looking to shed salary would take on salary in Asik or Ajinca. The draft picks would have been nice, as the Lakers do now currently have a first-round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
While the picks would have been positive, acquiring Asik or Ajinca wouldn’t push the needle for the Lakers this season. The Lakers do not need another center, as they already have youngster Ivica Zubac blocked on the depth chart. Asik and Ajinca would further block him from playing time.
However, with their plans for the 2018 offseason seemingly changing, a first-round pick probably would have been nice to have. Alas, it is an opportunity that has passed, as the Pelicans traded with the Bulls instead.
Next: 4 Possible Trade Destinations For Julius Randle
At this point, it sounds like it would be a surprise if Clarkson or Randle are traded. They are playing well and making it a difficult decision for the Lakers to make.