With the 2016-2017 NBA season fast approaching and teams gearing up to complete their rosters, latest rumors centered on a possible swap involving Jordan Clarkson and Jahlil Okafor. The deal should work for both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Philadelphia aims to have a more balanced roster that would boost their backcourt come 2016-2017 season, and trading Jahlil Okafor could just give them what they need, SportsRageous reported. Okafor has been a popular name in the trading block, with other NBA teams reportedly interested in taking him in, including Boston Celtics. Meanwhile, with Kobe Bryant gone, Lakers might be thinking for long-term plans to rebuild the team. Getting the 20-year-old Okafor could prove to be a smart move for that.
It is important to note though that Jordan Clarkson cannot be traded until December since he just re-signed a four-year deal worth $50 million with the LA Lakers last month. SportsRageous said though that depending on D'Angelo Russell's development, Clarkson will on the trading block. For now, Clarkson is staying with the Lakers. As reported by RealGM Wiretap, Clarkson is pleased to have signed the deal.
"It felt really good just to get it done early so I could get back to my offseason workouts and start preparing with my team for the upcoming season," Clarkson shared. "That was probably the best part about it. At the same time, staying in LA and bringing this franchise back to what it was is important to me."
The Lakers also has a new head coach, Luke Walton, and Clarkson said he is looking forward to playing for him. When asked about the preparation he's making under the helm of the new coach, he shared, "Just being able to do more behind the three-point line. Also getting stronger in terms of finishing at the basket with contact. A big focus for me is expanding my game and being able to go off-the-dribble more. I know we're going to be in a more uptempo and free system. I'm just trying to prepare as much as I can for that."
