Jordan Clarkson (Photo : Getty Images)
The LA Lakers are still the target of numerous trade rumors as huge and vocal fan base doesn't seem settled on their roster.
One of the major points of contention is the center position. The Lakers now have three centers on their roster, highlighted by the first "big" signing in the offseason, Timofey Mozgov. Obviously, the fans are underwhelmed with him as their starter and the reserves, the returning Tarik Black and rookie Ivica Zubac are not exactly instant contributors.
It doesn't help the Lakers' cause that ESPN ranked Mozgov as the third worst newcomer behind Rajon Rondo and Derrick Rose, and the forecast that the Lakers will finish dead last in the Western Conference next season. All those factors have led to the fans' premature unrest, and in turn, leads to trade rumors.
One of the latest trades running in the rumor mill has Jordan Clarkson being swapped for Jahlil Okafor of the Philadelphia 76ers. Adrian Lowhorn of Inquisitr cited a highly questionable source that the Lakers and Sixers are having discussions regarding this transaction.
Are there really talks between the Sixers and Lakers? No one can answer that for sure. There are a lot of calls on NBA front offices that don't reach the public, despite the multiple sources and social media. But again, the source that made the claim is known for preposterous claims.
Nevertheless, the rumors are out there, but will it actually happen? It's highly unlikely for the Lakers side. First of all, Jordan Clarkson cannot be traded since he just signed a new contract. Jahlil Okafor has been on the trading block for over a month now, and Lowhorn points out that if the Lakers really had the intention to send Clarkson to the Sixers, they should have executed a sign-and-trade agreement.
Second point, and more importantly, Clarkson has real value to the Sixers who need a scoring guard who can also play the point. But what would Okafor bring to the Lakers? The criticism for Mozgov is that he is not an athletic rim protector-the type of big man that NBA teams now covet.
Neither is Okafor. He is not known for his defense and would stop the ball on offense because he is a low-post, back to the basket scorer. Luke Walton already explained that Mozgov was picked because of his ability to set screens and is an underrated roll man in the pick and roll. He has experience with that play.
Okafor has not played with a starting grade point guard and has often ended up taking the scoring load on his shoulders.
In other words, the trade works for the Sixers since they need to let go of Okafor. The Lakers do not feel the same towards Clarkson and that is shown by the 50 million contract they gave him. Coach Luke Walton can run a two-point guard offense in D'Angelo Russell and Clarkson, especially since they have already played a season together.
Short answer is "No." This trade will not happen. Jordan Clarkson will be wearing Purple and Gold at the start of the season.
