When the trade rumors spread around the web about the possibility of trading J.R. Smith to the Los Angeles Lakers for Jordan Clarkson, Smith isn't officially signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers yet. So trading him would really be impossible during that time.
But now, J.R. Smith officially signed a contract with the Cavaliers. The contract is reportedly a four-year $57 million deal. So now that J.R. Smith is officially a Cleveland Cavalier, we can now look at the possibility of this trade.
The Los Angeles is in a rebuild mode right now. After the Black Mamba Kobe Bryant's departure last season, the Lakers now focusing it's attention on developing young players into an All-Star or superstar caliber player like they did with Bryant. Jordan Clarkson is one of those young talented player in the Lakers' line-up who could help the franchise recapture its lost glory in the coming years.
In his two years with the NBA, he average 14.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 138 games, per wikipedia. He was also included in the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2015. Last season, he started all 79 of the games that he played with the Lakers.
But this season, new head coach Luke Walton already announced that Clarkson will come off the bench this season. Walton also made it clear that this is not a demotion for Clarkson. He said that he wants Clarkson to be more like Manu Ginobili. Ginobili has a starters' skill but was moved to the bench for the betterment of the San Antonio Spurs.
Because of this, some people doubt whether Clarkson could do well for this new role. If he will be sent to Cleveland for J.R. Smith, he might replaced Smith in the starting line-up for the Cavs. Playing alongside with LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love and playing for a championship team could turn Clarkson into a much better player.
On the other hand, J.R. Smith is entering in his 13th NBA season. In his 12 years with the league, he average 13.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals in 839 games. He is also an important piece for the Cleveland Cavalier's championship run last season.
Although Smith played as a starter in his two NBA seasons with the Cavaliers, he played as a bench player for the most part of his NBA career. With this fact taking into consideration, he might be a good fit for that Manu Ginobili type of player that Walton is looking for.
Sending him to the Lakers for Clarkson might give the Lakers a better sixth man. With J.R. Smith's offensive talent, he could carry the scoring load while the starters are taking their rest. He might also be that veteran player who could help the Lakers' youngsters develop and mature as NBA players.
But it said that Smith tend to lose focus if he is playing for a losing team. Especially now that he already experience the pinnacle of success in the NBA, which is winning an NBA championship.
Aside from that, Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue and NBA superstar LeBron James vocally said that they want Smith on the team. With LeBron James bringing the Cavs' first ever NBA championship, I doubt if the Cavs' organization can refuse the King's request. With this in mind, we can be sure that Smith will stay in the Cleveland Cavalier's uniform for the rest of the season.
I also doubt if the dual Philippine and American citizen Jordan Clarkson will leave the Los Angele Lakers' franchise anytime soon. He is still just in his 3rd NBA season. Very young, talented and still has a lot of potential to becomea great player in this league. He might become one of the cornerstone of this team for the coming years.
Can Clarkson embrace the sixth man role and become a Ginobili-type player who could dominate the game by coming off the bench?
The way things are right now and considering all the factors available, this trade is impossible to happen.
