Los Angeles Lakers Trade for Jordan Clarkson
On June 27th, 2014, the Washington Wizards traded the draft rights of guard Jordan Clarkson to the Los Angeles Lakers for $1.8 million in cash considerations.
The Los Angeles Lakers had already selected Julius Randle seventh overall in the 2004 NBA Draft. In addition to the Randle selection, the Lakers decided to buy a second round pick from the Washington Wizards. Washington was interested in selling the pick as they wanted to focus on re-signing free agents and maintaining their veteran core.
The Wizards received $1.8 million in cash considerations from the Lakers and Los Angeles received the 46th overall pick in Jordan Clarkson. Known as a combo guard from Missouri, Clarkson had made the 2014 All-SEC second team after compiling 17.5 PPG and 3.4 APG in 35 games with the Tigers. Though Clarkson had shown skills as a scorer, he lacked a true position.
Clarkson had the size of a point guard, but lacked the natural decision-making abilities to command that position. At 6′5″, two-guard was a legitimate position for him, but a questionable 32.2% three-point shooting mark in three college years with Missouri and Tulsa severely hurt his stock in the draft.
Clarkson joined the Lakers for the 2014 Las Vegas Summer League and played well. In five games, the guard shot 42% from three and produced 15.8 PPG and 5.0 RPG.
He did struggle showcasing any point guard skills as he compiled just 6 assists versus 17 turnovers. Clarkson also pulled off a major highlight with a game-winning tip-in at the buzzer against the Golden State Warriors. After Summer League, Clarkson signed a two-year, $1.35 million deal with the first year guaranteed.
Clarkson joined a Lakers team in transition. Coach Mike D’Antoni resigned and the Lakers hired former Lakers player Byron Scott as new head coach. With a relatively young collection of players, the Lakers had very low expectations.
Los Angeles began the season 1-9 and continued to struggle as they finished a franchise-worst 21-61. Clarkson did not play much early on in his rookie season. The Lakers sent him down to the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Developmental League on a few occasions. Clarkson played in 5 D-League games and posted 22.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 7.8 APG in 36.0 MPG.
Injuries to veteran star Kobe Bryant and Nick Young opened up playing time and Clarkson eventually took the starting point guard spot from guards Jeremy Lin and Ronnie Price. As the Lakers continued their slide in the second half of the season, Clarkson impressed as he ranked second amongst rookies in points per game (11.9), third in assists per game (3.6). Clarkson also managed 3.2 RPG and 0.9 SPG in 59 games (38 starts) and 25.0 MPG.
In his final 13 games, Clarkson contributed 20.2 PPG on 49% shooting, 4.8 RPG, 6.5 APG and 1.6 SPG in 36.6 MPG. For his efforts, Clarkson would earn a spot on the NBA All-Rookie first team.
In the 2015 draft, the Lakers added point guard D’Angelo Russell and power forward Larry Nance, Jr. in the first round. During the free agency period, Los Angeles added reigning sixth man of the year Lou Williams and forward Brandon Bass. They also traded for former All-Star center Roy Hibbert.
After his strong rookie campaign, Clarkson joined the Lakers again for 2015 Summer League in Las Vegas. He struggled from the field (23.8% from three, 41.3% overall field goal shooting), but was productive with 16.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG and 2.0 APG.
Coming into the 2015-16 season, the Lakers season was all about Kobe Bryant. The Lakers star had announced his retirement after the finish of the season. The Lakers began Kobe’s farewell tour, losing 21 of their first 24 games.
The team never recovered as they set a franchise record for fewest wins (17) for the second consecutive season. Clarkson continued to show growth as a player in his sophomore season. He was moved to off-guard after the arrival of Russell and had to get used to less touches with the presence of Bryant. Clarkson managed 15.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.4 APG and 1.1 SPG in 79 contests and 32.3 MPG.
(per NBA Stats)
Soon after the end of the ‘15-‘16 campaign, the Lakers dismissed coach Byron Scott and hired former Lakers player and Golden State Warriors assistant Luke Walton.
The 2016 offseason was dramatic for the Lakers. Los Angeles had the second overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft and selected forward Brandon Ingram from Duke. Clarkson signed a four-year, $50 million deal to stay with the Lakers. The Lakers made a big splash in free agency with the signings of Luol Deng and Timofey Mozgov to four-year contracts of $72 million and $64 million respectively.
Midway through the 2016-17 season, Lakers governor Jeanie Buss fired her brother and executive vice president of basketball operations Jim Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak. She replaced them with Laker legend Magic Johnson as president of basketball operations and former agent Rob Pelinka as general manager. The new look front office prioritized clearing cap room to pursue superstars in free agency in the near future.
Los Angeles’ free agent goals began to take shape at the 2017 trade deadline when they dealt guard Lou Williams to the Houston Rockets for a first round pick and forward Corey Brewer. The move cleared some space for Los Angeles’ 2018 offseason. The Lakers finished up the ‘16-‘17 season with a 26-56 mark. Clarkson competed in all 82 games and posted 14.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.6 APG and 1.1 SPG in 29.2 MPG.
Before the 2017 NBA Draft, the Lakers dealt D’Angelo Russell and center Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for center Brook Lopez and a first round pick. The purpose of the deal was to get rid of Mozgov’s $48 million owed over three years, while taking on Lopez’ deal that only ran through the 2017-18 season.
The Lakers also added UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball with the second overall pick and forward Kyle Kuzma with the 27th pick that the Lakers acquired in the Russell-Lopez deal.
Even with Russell traded, Clarkson continued his role as a super sub, backing up Ball and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Clarkson put up solid numbers (14.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG and 3.3 APG in 53 games and 23.7 MPG), but the Lakers were still a middling team out of the playoff picture at 22-31.
As time progressed, it became imperative for the Lakers to move Clarkson. Clarkson was owed nearly $26 million over the next two years. For the Lakers to have cap space for two maximum salary players, Clarkson would have to be traded so the Lakers could make a run at the likes of LeBron James and Paul George in the summer of 2018. If that wouldn’t work, a Clarkson trade would free up space for the summer of 2019 as well.
Eventually, Clarkson was traded at the trade deadline with Larry Nance, Jr. to the Cleveland Cavaliers for guard Isaiah Thomas, center Channing Frye and a first round pick. Clarkson ended his run in Los Angeles with averages of 14.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.9 APG and 1.0 SPG in 273 career games. He shot 44% from the field, 33% from three and 81% from the free-throw line in that time span.
Jordan Clarkson on playing for the Lakers (via LA Times):
“It’s a blessing. I feel like I'm in a good situation. It was a long draft process. I worked real hard. I feel like I’m in the right situation, I just have to make the best out of my opportunity.”
On what his position will be:
“I see myself as a point guard, but I can also play the two because of my versatility on defense and my ability to score the ball.”
Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak (via LA Times):
“[Clarkson is] a good athlete, really good size, good defender, excels at probably attacking the rim. [He’s] maybe not as good a shooter as he will be when he works on it.”
Jokingly on filling up the roster to six after drafting Clarkson and Julius Randle:
“We got two players, so now we're up to six. You’ve got to get to 13, so it's nice to almost be halfway through.”
Washington Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld on why the Wizards traded the second round pick (via the Washington Post):
“We focused in on two, three players who we thought would be there but were gone by the time it was our turn to pick, and we didn’t want to waste it and just bring someone in that we didn’t think would fit in with what we were trying to do. Nothing really came up for us and we felt like it was best to move the pick for cash considerations, and this way it opens up another roster spot for us to get someone who’s established.”
Related Tweets:
“@LakerNation: Welcome the newest Laker, Jordan Clarkson (@JClark5on)! #LakerNation” #LakeShow
— Jordan Clarkson (@JordanClarksons)
June 27, 2014
Image via Getty Images/Rocky Widner
