Lakers Trade Rumors: The three best scenarios for Jordan Clarkson

2 of 4

(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Landing in Orlando and getting a starting role with the Magic

If you looked at a comparison between Elfrid Payton and Jordan Clarkson, Payton has the edge in every category except scoring where Clarkson is about two points per game ahead. This deal makes sense for both sides but may not be what goes down, as Orlando hasn’t really popped out in headlines as a big destination for Clarkson to wind up.

However, the Lakers might be intrigued by this for two reasons. The first one has to do with money, as by trading Clarkson they’ll be paying $4 million less and it’ll be on deals that are set to expire whereas Clarkson’s still had some time left on it.

More from LA Sports Hub

If Los Angeles chooses to not change who the starting point guard is, they’ll get a quality backup in Payton and a possible answer at shooting guard in Mario Hezonja. This all coming with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s deal set to expire in the summertime and the Lakers still needing a long-term answer at his position.

For the Lakers, if the ultimate goal of a Jordan Clarkson deal was to save some money, this is a win-win. You get Clarkson off the Lakers and you acquire two players that can give you your money’s worth and make your summer much more manageable than it would be if the season ended right now.

This is also a win for Jordan Clarkson because instead of playing from the bench, he’ll get starting minutes on a team that might be a whole lot better with him on it. There’s a lot to like about this deal, especially since it would seem it wouldn’t be one in which we scratch our heads for too long after.

But will this happen? Not likely — at least for now.

Home/Los Angeles Lakers