Earlier this month, there have been rumors of the Lakers wanting to change their roster. In the rumor mill, the name of Jordan Clarkson was dragged as a possible trade piece for the Lakers. In previous news, Yibada reported that;
"The Lakers drafted D'Angelo Russell to be their point guard of the future, and they would rather have DeRozan-who could be the Kobe heir apparent, over Clarkson. This trade proposal is predicated on the assumption that the Raptors are pursuing Kevin Durant and the Lakers don't see themselves as a realistic candidate (hence, acquiring DeRozan). The Lakers could send Clarkson and Roy Hibbert's expiring contract in exchange for DeRozan and other cap-consumers like Bismack Biyombo and Lucas Noguiera."
However, such rumor remained a rumor for no updates about the said move was neither confirmed nor denied by both camps. In sense, the said report was purely a speculation. On the other, it did not stop the rumor mill to include the name of the Filipino-American NBA player in the trade speculation surrounding the Lakers. Recent reports stated that Clarkson could finally be shipped out before the trade deadline. The said rumor is anchored on the notion that Clarkson and D'Angelo Russell backcourt team is not working well. According to Yibada;
"Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott had high hopes for the backcourt tandem of last season's All-Rookie First Teamer Jordan Clarkson and this year's second overall draft pick D'Angelo Russell, telling reporters that the pair will be the future of the franchise. However, 24 games into the season, it looks like the pairing had not worked out quite well for Scott as he decided to bench Russell and start 2015 NBA Sixth Man of the Year awardee Lou Williams in place of the rookie."
In line with the idea of being traded, Clarkson was reportedly the best trade bait right now for the team. He is the most consistent player at the moment, "averaging 15.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in 31.5 minutes a night in 22 games so far this season," thus attracting a possible great trade deal. Russell would not be sacrificed for a trade even though high expectations were shattered for according to Yibada, "Russell and fellow "rookie" Julius Randle over Clarkson to be the main men of the Lakers moving forward."
Though it may sound bizarre for a team to trade its most consistent player and gamble for a possible great exchange, it still doesn't stop the rumor mill from projecting such thing. Guess we would just have to wait for more updates about the said rumor.
