Lakers Rumors: The perfect trade for Jordan Clarkson
By Jason Reed
Jordan Clarkson has been one of the best assets for the Lakers this season. Despite his success, an impending Clarkson trade has headlined Lakers rumors.
The Los Angeles Lakers have an issue on their hands with Jordan Clarkson. Clarkson has arguably been the best Laker this year aside from Kyle Kuzma. However, Clarkson also has the second largest contract on the team. Clarkson is good, but he restricts the seemingly inevitable super team that has been omnipresent within the Lakers rumors.
The one benefit of Clarkson’s strong play, though, is that it is making him easier to trade. Clarkson has emerged as a solid point guard option and arguably could start on several different teams.
Thus, recent Lakers rumors emerged that the team is looking to deal Clarkson after this season, not at the deadline as previously thought. With no first-round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Los Angeles has no incentive to make any moves similar to their Lou Williams trade last season.
Obviously, if the Lakers were to trade Clarkson at the deadline it would be a salary dump move. It would likely be for an expiring contract that can open up more space for the 2018 offseason. However, moving him after the season adds some complications. The motives become unclear.
Luckily for Los Angeles, there is a trade that not only gets the most out of Clarkson’s value but clears up some cap space as well. Not only does this trade accomplish multiple things, it is definitely doable and should not be ruled out of consideration.
The trade?
Not only are the Lakers getting rid of Jordan Clarkson and his contract, the team is getting rid of the contract that plagues any big acquisition; Luol Deng’s. Throw in Julius Randle on a sign and trade deal and the Lakers free up the three guys that are set to give them the most complications next season.
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In return, the Lakers get one more season of Stanley Johnson and Andre Drummond. Although Drummond’s big contract may not fit the Lakers need, he is a star and sets the ball in motion to bring in other stars as well.
Even in acquiring Drummond, the Lakers would still have around $50 million in cap space to spend in the 2018 offseason. That is more than enough to bring in two stars, one of which could be LeBron James. All of a sudden, the Lakers would have a super team on their hands all due to trading Jordan Clarkson.
This is hands-down the best deal the Lakers can make for Clarkson. Los Angeles must capitalize on Clarkson’s increasing trade value to accomplish their long-term goals. This deal definitely accomplishes those goals and would act as the start of a new era for the Lakers.
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As sad as it would be to see Clarkson go, it is for the best for the Los Angeles Lakers. If the team is going to pull the trigger after the season, the Detroit Pistons should be the first team they contact.