Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Lakers News: Luke Walton, Jesse Mermuys Help Jordan Clarkson Deal With Trade Rumors
Lakers News

Lakers News: Luke Walton, Jesse Mermuys Help Jordan Clarkson Deal With Trade Rumors

Corey Hansford
Published: 01/21/2018
3 Min Read
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The Los Angeles Lakers finally got their first win without Lonzo Ball on Friday night, defeating the Indiana Pacers, 99-86. In spite of a historically bad free throw shooting night, the Lakers came out victorious thanks to excellent defense and an offense sparked by Jordan Clarkson.

Clarkson, who had been in a bit of a slump, finished with a season-high 33 points, to go along with seven rebounds and seven assists. Depending on your feelings on Clarkson, some would say he increased his trade value with the performance while others would say he proved why the Lakers should keep him.

Regardless, trade rumors surrounding the fourth-year guard have been constant all season. And they’re something head coach Luke Walton has attempted to help Clarkson through. “I try to talk to him a lot,” Walton said.

“Coach Mermuys is really close with him, so the two of them are always talking about it. The message is always the same: ‘You can’t control it. If you get traded, you get traded. We don’t coach as if you’re not going to be here. This is our group and this is who we try to coach.’

“It’s not always easy, but he’s continued, even with a little bit of a shooting slump that he’s been in, he keeps coming and getting shots up with coach Mermuys. Had a huge Dallas game for us, obviously, and [Friday] we don’t win that game without the way he played.”

For his part, Clarkson has remained indifferent about the rumors and claimed he isn’t motivated by them. “No, to be honest with you. If I’m here, I’m going to help them win games. If I’m not, it is what it is,” Clarkson said.

No one can be sure whether Clarkson will remain with the Lakers beyond the Feb. 8 trade deadline, but he is certainly showing that he has value in this league.

Walton and his coaching staff are doing as much as they can to help him out through this time and on this night it paid off.

WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSION? CHECK OUT THE NEW LAKERSNATION FORUM CLUB

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Jordan ClarksonLos Angeles LakersLuke Walton
ByCorey Hansford
Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?