Lakers Trade Rumors: Jordan Clarkson Offered to Pistons for Avery Bradley

The Los Angeles Lakers discussed a trade involving Avery Bradley with the Detroit Pistons, the Detroit Free Press' Vince Ellis reported Monday.

According to Ellis, the Lakers included Jordan Clarkson in the negotiations.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported earlier the Pistons had made Bradley available, with Detroit's asking price "significant."

It looked like the Pistons fleeced the Celtics when they acquired Bradley from the Boston Celtics for Marcus Morris. Instead, Bradley has struggled in Detroit.

Although he's averaging 15.0 points per game, his rebounding average has fallen from 6.1 to 2.4 and he's shooting 40.9 percent from the field, down from 46.3 percent a year ago.

Basketball Insiders compared his struggles to a few of his ex-teammates' woes:

Despite all of that, swapping Clarkson for Bradley would make sense for the Lakers, since the latter's expiring contract represents the bulk of his value to Los Angeles. Clarkson, on the other hand, will earn a little over $25.9 million between the next two seasons.

For the Lakers to seriously pursue one or more marquee free agents, the team will likely have to get Clarkson's contract off its books.

Ellis reported the Pistons passed on Clarkson but could have a change of heart before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

Adding Clarkson would make little sense for Detroit.

In addition to his contract, which isn't team-friendly, the 25-year-old isn't all that different a player from Reggie Jackson. Sure, Jackson is still nursing an ankle injury, but he's not going anywhere anytime soon with a deal that runs through the 2019-20 season.

Ultimately, it wouldn't be surprising if Bradley and Clarkson both had new homes before the trade deadline, but the chances they're included in the same swap appear remote.