The LA Lakers are still in the center of NBA trade rumors. There is still a cloud of doubt cast on the young core and whether the front office has the patience to watch them grow.
After the worst three-year stretch in the team's storied history, the LA Lakers can feel the pressure from the fans. The alleged tank job has accomplished its mission to acquire a top pick (2nd overall Brandon Ingram) so it is now expected that the team is ready to compete.
Is the front office, represented by GM Mitch Kupchak and co-owner Jim Buss, content with the current roster? That would depend on how the team performs in the onset but there are temptations even before the season begins.
According to reports, the Philadelphia 76ers could offer center Jahlil Okafor for guard Jordan Clarkson. The scenario is illustrated by Zach Harper of CBS.
"Maybe this is the best option -- to approach the Los Angeles Lakers, the team that passed on Okafor with the No. 2 pick a year ago, and see if there is interest in pairing him with D'Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram moving forward."
The rumor has substance because it's no secret that the Philadelphia 76ers are trying to unload one of their centers, either Okafor or Nerlens Noel. Harper also suggested that the Lakers, who have two quality point guards in D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson, may give up one of them.
"The only way you start getting proper value back in return is getting Jordan Clarkson in the deal. The Lakers just re-signed him to a four-year, $50 million and he can't be traded until December 14, but that would have to be the starting point," Harper wrote.
Should the Lakers pursue this trade? While they did address the center situation with Timofey Mozgov, he is definitely not the Lakers center for the long term (even if he's signed for four years). Okafor was touted as a franchise player and while he was underwhelming in his rookie year, it should be noted that he was on the Sixers in the middle of a tank mission.
Still, as mentioned in Lake Show Life, the Lakers have offensive weapons and what they need is a defensive presence. "Okafor might be an offensive superstar in the league one day, but his defense leaves a ton to be desired."
Okafor is not a bad player and if they could acquire him without giving up any of their young core (Clarkson, Russell, Ingram, Julius Randle and Larry Nance, Jr), that's a worthwhile opportunity, but Clarkson, an All-Rookie first team member and fast on the way to stardom, is definitely off limits for this transaction.