Jordan Clarkson’s days in Los Angeles may be numbered. It has been one of the worst-kept secrets in the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers have every intention to unload Clarkson’s contract in order to create cap space for next year’s elite crop of free-agents, which includes Paul George, Russell Westbrook, and LeBron James. It’s no longer a question of if, but when the trade will take place.
Clarkson, who turned out to be a very solid pickup in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft, will draw interest from several teams. The former Missouri standout has proven to be a capable scorer over the last three seasons.
He averaged 14.7 points on 44 percent FG shooting and 32 percent from the 3-point line in 29 minutes per game last season, while showing versatility in playing both the point and off-guard positions.
Finding a buyer for Clarkson would be easy. The only possible stumbling block that could emerge in trade talks would be the taker’s asking price. Receiving team in a salary dump deal usually gets additional pick from the seller as compensations. The Lakers don’t have much draft picks to spare, but they do have few second-round picks to serve as trade sweetener.
The number of potential suitors for Clarkson could be as many as a dozen. However, these three teams are viewed as feasible landing spots for the guard because of their capacity to absorb his contract.
The Chicago Bulls
This franchise is on an asset-collecting mode after the GarPax regime pushed the restart button at the 2017 NBA Draft (Jimmy Butler trade). The Bulls are currently $20 million below the salary cap threshold. They are expected to trim down their payroll further to $23 million next year, creating more room to absorb Clarkson’s $12M per year deal.
Chicago will be there to help the Lakers unload his contract, but only if Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka are willing to throw in additional draft picks.
The Brooklyn Nets
Nets general manager Sean Marks would be happy to enter into another negotiations with the Lakers after acquiring former no.2 overall pick D’Angelo Russell in a salary dump move that also involved Brook Lopez and Timofey Mozgov a couple of months ago.
The Nets’ payroll for the 2018-19 season is projected at $74 million, and Clarkson’s contract fits in.
The prospect of reuniting Russell and Clarkson may not be a bad idea, since the duo showed some flashes of their full potential together in L.A. After all, Marks won’t bother using these young players as trade baits if they don’t live up to his expectations.
The Dallas Mavericks
Mark Cuban’s franchise hasn’t been relevant for quite some time. Dirk Nowitzki just turned 39 and Harrison Barnes may not be ready to take over as the face of the franchise. However, Dallas can bolster their roster next season when payroll drops to $59 million.
Depending on the increase of the salary cap, the Mavs could have between $30M to $40M cap space to spend next summer.
They can sign free-agents or facilitate a salary dump deal with other teams, including the Lakers.
With Wes Matthews’ current deal expiring in two years, there’s a need for the Mavs to find an upstart who can succeed him at the shooting guard spot. At 25, Clarkson is an intriguing prospect to consider. Although he still lacks the defensive chops to become an elite two-way player, the former Missouri standout can provide the Mavs with much-needed offense either as a starter or bench player.
