The Los Angeles Lakers have traded point guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Larry Nance Jr. to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for guard Isaiah Thomas, big man Channing Frye, and a first-round pick. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN was first to break the news:
Lakers sending Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance to the Cavaliers, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
Cleveland is sending Isaiah Thomas and Channing Frye to the Lakers for Clarkson and Nance, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
Cavaliers also sending its 2018 first-round pick in deal to Lakers, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
Los Angeles Lakers Trade Jordan Clarkson to Cleveland Cavaliers
Clarkson has two years left on his contract after this season. Additionally, he has no options in his current deal, which would make him an unrestricted free agent in the 2020 off-season. The Lakers signed Clarkson to his four-year, $50 million deal back in July 2016. This was just two years after the Lakers acquired Clarkson from the Washington Wizards on draft night for cash considerations.
Clarkson, a four-year NBA veteran, can provide the struggling Cavs with pace and scoring. Capable of playing at both guard spots, he should strengthen their bench unit considerably. Nance will also bring some energy in the frontcourt for a team that has been criticized for a lack of effort nearly all season.
The trade will prevent Cleveland from dealing the 2018 Brooklyn Nets’ pick that it owns, at least until the draft, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. The pick had been in several trade rumors leading up to the deadline.
Clarkson, a 6’5” guard, is averaging around 15 points and more than three assists per game this season. He’s also shooting a solid 46 percent from the field.
Thomas and Frye, on the other hand, will bring a veteran presence to the Lakers. Their expiring contracts could also create more cap space for Los Angeles in the upcoming off-season. The pick is surely the biggest motivation for the Lakers to give up their younger players, as they add a first-rounder in a draft in which they may lose their own selection.
Wojnarowski summed up L.A.’s biggest benefits from this deal:
Three impactful details on trade for Lakers: They'll have space for two max contract slots in 2018 or 2019, replenish first-round pick in 2018 Draft and gets Lakers some shooting for rest of season with Thomas and Frye.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
