The Lakers are confident they can unload Jordan Clarkson at some point to help with their pursuit of free agents next summer, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said during an appearance on the network’s Full Court Press special.
L.A. reportedly wants to be able to offer a pair of max contracts in July, with LeBron James and Paul George considered to be prime targets. To make that possible the team has to trim salaries, including Clarkson, who has two seasons left on the four-year, $50MM contract he signed in the summer of 2016. He will make $12.5MM next season and $13.4375MM in 2019/20.
“They believe they can trade Jordan Clarkson and get his money off,” Wojnarowski said. “They prefer not to do it at the trade deadline. Clarkson has helped them win games this year, and because they don’t have their pick, they want to win as many games as they can. So I think there’s some confidence there that they can find a deal for Clarkson after the season, to get his money off. But there’s got to be a sequencing here. And it gets back to, are they going to chase one max-salary slot, or two?”
A former starter, the fourth-year guard has adjusted to a reserve role over the past two seasons and has remained productive. He is averaging 13.8 points through 30 games and shooting a career-best 46% from the field.
To open two full-max slots, the Lakers will also have to get rid of Luol Deng, who has only appeared in one game this season and is owed $36.81MM over the next two years, along with Julius Randle, who will have a cap hold of roughly $12.5MM. L.A. may decide to stretch Deng’s contract after this season, which would make it count $7.362MM against the cap for each of the next five years.
I really like Randle, I hope he goes somewhere that he can find a lot of playing time and help a team win. Sucks to see him on the bench even though he seems to have adjusted to it and sucks to know they don’t think too highly of him because I think he’s valuable and will be valuable to whoever gets him.
I hope the Lakers do trade Clarkson and Randle it will weaken the bench. The Laketz will also be trading two key pueces off they bench Who wants Michael-Carter Williams give me a break. But Randle and his saltiness will be missed.
Do or don’t?
Randle, Deng, Clarkson and a 1st(idk what LA’s draft picks look like) to Charlotte for Kidd-Gilchrist, Marvin Williams, and Michael Carter-Williams.
LA gets contracts that will be easier to move in Williams and Kidd-Gilchrist. I believe MCW has a team option.
Charlotte gets a younger PF to replace Williams, a back up PG that can score(which they haven’t had since Jeremy Lin left), a pick to hopefully get some talent, and they’d just have to figure out whether to try and move Deng, waive him, or let him play out his contract.
What you smoking? The Lakers aren’t giving a 1st round pick to get rid of deng
They aren’t getting rid of him otherwise. What you smoking?
You use the pick to dump all the salary and you get players who will be easier to move then Deng
He’s one of the better value sixth man out there since he’s young and his contract is reasonable. Lakers shouldn’t have a problem moving him
Lakers are beginning to look real good. Does an aging Lebron or George slow the growing process and actually slow down their progression?
Put your mind to it , you can achieve anything – George McFly
I hope the Lakers do trade Clarkson and Randle it will weaken the bench. The Laketz will also be trading two key pueces off they bench Who wants Michael-Carter Williams give me a break. But Randle and his saltiness will be missed.