Lakers Rumors: Latest on Jordan Clarkson Trade, Not Being Sold on Lonzo Ball
There's always something going on in Laker Land.
Even with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and NBA Finals dominating the hoops news cycle, the Los Angeles Lakers have managed to grab several headlines due to the ever-buzzing Ball family and a trade rumor involving a member of the backcourt not named D'Angelo Russell.
Let's break down the latest on Los Angeles below.
After the Lakers landed the No. 2 pick at the May 16 NBA draft lottery, it became increasingly believed—with the Boston Celtics taking Markelle Fultz No. 1—that Lonzo Ball would be the pick.
That led to rumors about Russell's departure.
Sports Illustrated's Jake L. Fischer reported that "multiple NBA teams are evaluating trade packages" for the 21-year-old, who still has two years left on his rookie deal.
The southpaw spent time scouting draftees with new president Magic Johnson on Sunday, though, quelling those rumblings, at least partially. Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress snapped a picture:
Basketball Insiders' Moke Hamilton reported on Wednesday that another guard has emerged as a trade piece: Jordan Clarkson.
"I've been told by someone in the know that the Lakers are 'increasingly open-minded' about trading Jordan Clarkson and to not be surprised for him to end up being moved as soon as draft night. That's conjecture at this point, as the Lakers need not rush to clear what may appear to be a logjam in the making."
Assuming they pull the trigger on the Big Baller, the Lakers could slide Russell over to a shooting guard role with Ball running point. The 24-year-old Clarkson, who was taken with the No. 46 pick in 2014, has three years left on a $50 million contract that runs through 2019-20, per Spotrac.
If the potential to land Paul George is real, unloading Clarkson would create space while also unclogging an overcrowded backcourt.
Lonzo Ball
Moving Clarkson makes sense if the Lakers take Lonzo.
But what if they pass on Ball?
According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, there's no guarantee Los Angeles selects the local kid from Chino Hills and later UCLA.
In fact, Kyler wrote that "unless Lonzo absolutely blows the doors off, he may not be the Lakers' guy."
"The Lakers are weeks away from needing to make their final decision, but there are many that believe the Lakers could go after both Kansas forward Josh Jackson and Kentucky guard De'Aaron Fox (who made my Mock at 2 this week) with the second overall pick. It's become so real that Ball's camp, which started the process saying he'd only meet with the Lakers, have expressed a willingness to meet with the Philadelphia 76ers and possibly the Sacramento Kings depending on how things go with the Lakers."
Kyler rightly pointed out that weeks after Lonzo's dad, LaVar, talked to CBS Sports as if Ball at No. 2 was a done deal, the tune has changed.
ESPN.com's Chris Haynes reported on a potential workout with the Sixers, but a final decision won't be made until Ball's agent, Harrison Gaines, and Philly general manger Bryan Colangelo "have an extensive conversation about the identity of the team."
Per Haynes, that discussion would understandably involve Ben Simmons, who the team plans to feature at the 1.
Could L.A. be sending LaVar a message with this rumor about not being sold on Lonzo? Perhaps. But when push comes to shove, Rotoworld's Ethan Norof thinks the Big Baller Brand CEO won't play a role:
According to The Vertical's Shams Charania, Ball's individual workout with the Lakers will be this Wednesday, June 7. The rumors coming out of that meeting will hold more weight than the ones floating around now.
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