With the NBA Trade Deadline moved up to before the All-Star Game, falling on Feb. 8 this year, the rumors have kicked off even earlier this season. Per usual, the Los Angeles Lakers are right in the middle of everything and arguably the most-mentioned name has been guard Jordan Clarkson.
Clarkson has seemingly found his ideal role as a combo guard off the bench and has thrived as the catalyst for the Lakers second unit. He is currently the third-leading scorer on the team.
However, the Lakers looking to clear out maximum cap space for the summer and Clarkson’s contract is an impediment to that so he is a candidate to be moved.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently made an appearance on ESPN Cleveland Radio and revealed that the Lakers have had conversations with the Cleveland Cavaliers about Clarkson, via ESPN’s Jordan Zirm:
"In recent days, the Cavs have had conversations with the Lakers." – @WindhorstESPN just now on ESPN Cleveland. mentions Jordan Clarkson as a potential target
— Jordan Zirm (@clevezirm) January 23, 2018
However in the same interview, Windhorst noted that no conversations are currently taking place, via ESPN Cleveland:
Windhorst: Things can change but right now the #Cavs are not actively involved with the Clippers, so you can take DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams off your list, for now.
Same with the Lakers, they aren't currently talking.
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) January 23, 2018
Conversations is a pretty vague term as it could mean that the Cavs simply asked what the Lakers were looking for and didn’t like the response. Of course things could also pick up as the trade deadline come closer.
The Cavaliers are going through a ton of drama right now and most expect them to make some kind of deal. Adding a dynamic scorer like Clarkson could certainly help and Cleveland has some expiring contracts and possibly a first-round pick that could intrigue the Lakers.
It will be interesting to see if conversations pick back up or who else turns out to be interested in Clarkson and whether the Lakers would deal him. With the way he has been playing recently, many teams could come calling for Clarkson at the deadline.
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