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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Likeliest Players To Not Be With Team After Trade Deadline

By Kenneth Teape

Jan 10, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton (right) talks with guard D'Angelo Russell (1) and guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. The Portland Trail Blazers won 108-87. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton (right) talks with guard D'Angelo Russell (1) and guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. The Portland Trail Blazers won 108-87. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Likeliest Players To Not Be With Team After Trade Deadline
Jan 22, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Pierre Jackson (55) guards Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Lakers 122-73. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Jordan Clarkson

Of all the players on this list, Clarkson is the least likely to be traded, and probably the player the Lakers would least like to move. He has been an excellent find for the Lakers after being selected in the second round of the 2015 NBA Draft, No.46 overall.

Clarkson has had a role change each season, but you never hear him complain. He played mostly point guard as a rookie but was shifted to shooting guard in his second season. This year, he was removed from the starting lineup after starting all 79 games he played in last season. He has also expanded to playing more small forward this season, giving the Lakers an explosive small-ball lineup.

The Lakers clearly believed in Clarkson, as they signed him to a four-year, $50 million deal. He is a versatile player, filling a number of roles for the Lakers off their bench. But, he is also someone they could consider moving, according to Nick Silva of ESPN.com. The Lakers have been better with Clarkson off the court this season, so they could look to shake up their backcourt and bring in some new faces.

With that being said, the Lakers should have no real urgency to move Clarkson. The only reason he would be moved is to sweeten a deal, possibly in one including Deng or Mozgov. If the Lakers ramp up trade talks for Nick Young or Lou Williams, the likelihood of Clarkson being moved would decrease; they would need Clarkson should they move either player.

Next: 25 Best Players To Play For Los Angeles Lakers

Clarkson has a bright future in the NBA and could blossom into a Sixth Man of the Year candidate down the road given his skill set. He’s a solid combo guard and the Lakers would have to be blown away by an offer to trade away the 24-year-old.

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