Lakers Rumors: Three Reasons why it is unwise to trade Jordan Clarkson

3. Clarkson is a cheap option relative to the rest of the NBA

NBA contracts aren’t what they use to be, that’s for sure. More than ever, we are seeing NBA teams open up their pocketbooks to pay some of the most recognizable faces in sports. The NBA is rapidly growing, edging closer and closer to the NFL as the most popular sport in the United States. Hence why basketball players are paid a pretty penny.

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Now, it makes sense to pay the superstars what they are worth. Steph Curry, LeBron James, James Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook all bring so much more value to their team than what they are being paid. LeBron said it best, based on what these players are worth, the cap only limits their earnings.

Despite these stars being paid more than ever, teams are still paying players of lesser values huge contracts. Allen Crabbe makes $18 million a year, Loul Deng $18 million, Tim Hardaway Jr. $17.7 million – the list goes on and on.

In fact, a player that is only slightly better than Clarkson, Victor Oladipo, is making $85 million over the next four seasons.

The Indiana Pacers are paying almost twice the salary the Lakers are paying Clarkson this year for only 1.2 points and 1.3 rebounds more. It is evident that now, more than ever, it is so hard to find a cheap, reliable role player. Unless it is a veteran on their last legs, desperate for a championship, it’s nearly non-existent.

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Should Clarkson be paid $11 million? Probably not. However, with all things considered, Clarkson is still a cheap option compared to his peers. Sure, they could trade him to bring in a star, but they are going to end up paying even more for a role player of lesser value. That is why the Lakers rumors around Jordan Clarkson make no sense.