The Los Angeles Lakers are not faring well this season and because of this, the rebuilding process for the franchise may include the trading of budding guard Jordan Clarkson.
So far this 2015–16 National Basketball Association (NBA) regular season, Clarkson is the most consistent player for the struggling Lakers.
In 18 games played this season, Clarkson is averaging 15.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals in 32.2 minutes played per contest.
Despite the improvement in his numbers and the contribution to the Lakers, reports say Clarkson is still a possible trade option for the organization.
One of the possible things that may happen if the Lakers decide to trade Clarkson is for them having a bigger salary cap which they can use in the 2016 free agency, with Oklahoma City Thunder star and former Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kevin Durant being one of the biggest free agents to be available next summer.
Meanwhile, according to Bleacher Report, one of the reasons why Los Angeles might trade the 27-year-old guard and it is because of a congested backcourt.
Guards D'Angelo Russell, Lou Williams, and Nick Young are already in the roster and having Clarkson may be one too many for the Lakers as they move forward.
Another possible reason according to Yibada, is the Lakers' plan of looking for the next "Kobe Bryant."
Bryant, 37, recently announced his retirement after 20 seasons with the Los Angeles franchise and in the NBA.
Yibada reported that the Lakers may include Clarkson in a trade that would acquire them Toronto Raptors guard and former All-Star DeMar DeRozan.
DeRozan's explosiveness and scoring ability makes him a great candidate to be the new face of the franchise for the Lakers.
According to the report by Yibada, one of the factors that would lead to the trade deal involving Clarkson and DeRozan is the latter's contract situation with Toronto.
