Lakers Rumors: Three players to trade Jordan Clarkson for this season

2. Wesley Matthews

Instead of pursuing a salary dump such as Trevor Ariza, the Los Angeles Lakers very well could pursue a more natural shooting guard in Wesley Matthews. Granted, the team does have Kentavious Caldwell-Pope lined up to start at the two this season, pushing this eventual deal back until the end of 2017.

It should be noted that Matthews does hold a player option following this season, so with the Mavericks potentially worried about losing the guard for nothing, that can perform a sign and trade deal and at least get something out of the deal. With at least $40 million in cap space opening next offseason, the Lakers would be able to afford the six million more that Matthews brings.

Now, the Lakers would have a more natural shooting guard to play instead of sliding Jordan Clarkson in after KCP’s departure. While Matthews is not a superstar by any stretch of the imagination, he is a great talent that could help lure in a guy like Paul George. Los Angeles needs to establish existing talent on this team, and Matthews would be just that.

Standing in at six-foot-six, Matthews averaged 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists last season. Playing alongside a distributing point guard in Lonzo Ball would help Matthews, likely giving the Lakers identical production that they will get from Caldwell-Pope this season.

Heck, even if Matthews is just decent, the Lakers would only have to pay his contract for one season, opposed to the two more seasons they would have to pay Clarkson’s. All in all, it seems to be a risk worth taking for the Lakers and benefits the Dallas Mavericks.