The Utah Jazz’s decision to trade away Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell this summer indicated that the team was launching a lengthy rebuild.
With the stars gone, now the front office needs to unload some of its veteran role players who are better-suited for a championship-contending squad than what the Jazz currently are.
One key player whose trade feels inevitable is sharpshooter Jordan Clarkson. He has averaged 16.8 points per game over the course of his last three years in Utah, culminating with a Sixth Man of the Year award in 2021.
Clarkson could be very helpful to certain teams if he lands in the right situation.
At the moment, there are appear to be two very legit suitors for his services.
According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports, a Clarkson-for-Jae Crowder trade between the Jazz and Suns has been discussed. Previously two other teams were viewed as the frontrunners for Crowder, but Utah has now apparently entered the fray as well.
“In recent transaction cycles, Phoenix has explored adding greater ball-handling depth behind Chris Paul and Devin Booker,” Fischer noted.
“And Jordan Clarkson, one of the many veterans thought to be available in Utah, is one dynamic guard the Suns have inquired about landing in exchange for Crowder, sources said.”
Clarkson’s offensive prowess would lend itself very well to Phoenix. He would immediately give them some scoring firepower off the bench that could help them right some of wrongs that were committed in the playoffs last year.
If not the Suns, the Los Angeles Lakers also make a lot of sense for Clarkson. He is obviously very familiar with the franchise, loves L.A. and would bring some much needed three-point shooting to the group.
Much in the same way Beverley is going to serve as a key defensive spark plug for Los Angeles, Clarkson could do the same for them offensively.
Last year the Lakers were 22nd in three-point shooting percentage, 17th in three-pointers attempted and 18th in made three-pointers.
Clarkson would fix a lot of that.
L.A. is currently being linked to a fairly substantial deal with the Golden State Warriors. But if that falls apart, this Clarkson transaction could prove to be a win-win.
Brittany knows how to steal the show.https://t.co/raAuZ5RBbO
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 14, 2022
At this point, it feels like a foregone conclusion that Clarkson will be playing elsewhere by the time the 2022-23 NBA season ends.
Where will that somewhere be, though?
Time will tell.
Related: Hornets Star LaMelo Ball’s New Shoe Sparks Controversy (Photos)
Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
