$101 Million Star Lakers Target Won’t Be Traded Anymore

The Los Angeles Lakers showed interest in several players in the offseason, but one particular target can no longer be traded. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka had a chance to trade for $101 million star shooting guard Jordan Clarkson.

The Utah Jazz were all-in when it comes to boosting their roster. They traded most of their players in the effort to rebuild the roster. Did it work? According to several reports, the Jazz will keep Clarkson. He will be one of the very few players to stay in Utah.

“Utah has so far signaled an intent to keep breakout star forward Lauri Markkanen plus franchise favorite Jordan Clarkson, and have established a high asking price for Jarred Vanderbilt, sources told Yahoo Sports, leaving Malik Beasley and Kelly Olynyk, along with Conley, as the obvious veterans the Jazz could move before the Feb. 9 trade deadline,” Jake Fischer from Yahoo Sports reported. “Olynyk is known to be a favorite of Ainge.”

The Lakers showed interest in signing Clarkson and Mike Conley.

The Lakers almost traded for the top target

Shams Charania, Sam Amick, and Jovan Buha reported that the Lakers wanted to get Clarkson this summer. Well, Jazz owner Ryan Smith didn’t want to trade their talented player.

Clarkson knows the Lakers really well. He saw action in 273 games with the team, but they traded him in 2018. The veteran player averaged 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game with the franchise.

Lakers head coach Darvin Ham would’ve found great use for Clarkson. The Lakers need a third player behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Clarkson averages 19.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game this season. The Lakers need someone like him. Clarkson shoots 43.3% from the field, 37.5 from beyond the arc, and 85.5% from the free-throw line.

Clarkson could easily solve the shooting issues LA has. He is a capable 3-point scorer who can create his own shot off the dribble. In the 2021-22 NBA season, Clarkson made 190 3-pointers. He made 208 in 2020-21.