The Utah Jazz have been busy this offseason.
Though they haven’t made a major move since lucking into multiple lottery-caliber talents in the 2024 NBA Draft, their phone is ringing off the hook. This is largely due to opposing teams’ interest in trading for Lauri Markkanen, whose career has rebounded well in Utah. An All-Star in 2022-23, he’s now regarded as one of the best players in the league.
However, the Jazz have also been fielding calls for several other players, including Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler, John Collins, and Collin Sexton. Among them Clarkson appears to have the lowest trade value. In fact, one could say his stock is nonexistent.
“Clarkson, meanwhile, needs a bounceback season after really struggling with his efficiency last year,” writes Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune. “As of now, there haven’t been any other interested NBA teams in trading for his services.”
Trade Market Dried Up For Jazz’s Jordan Clarkson
Clarkson’s first three-plus seasons with the Jazz did a lot to enhance his reputation. The 2021 Sixth Man of the Year, he averaged 18.2 points per game between 2020-21 and 2022-23.
With that being said, Clarkson’s counting stats weren’t much different last season, the now 32-year-old putting up 17.1 points per game. He even notched a career-high assist average. Yet, he converted just 41.3 percent of his field goals and 29.4 percent of his 3s, both career-lows.
Again, it’s not as if Clarkson was expected to be particularly consistent; he never has been.
However, with backcourt mate Sexton averaging 18.7 points per game with far better efficiency, his performances paled in comparison. Jazz head coach Will Hardy propping Clarkson up as Utah’s second-best player made it more concerning. Whatever anyone thought of him on the outside, the Jazz definitely had high hopes for the former second-round pick.
By the end of the season, those hopes seemed dashed. Clarkson’s name was cropping up in trade rumors, primarily in connection with the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers. Looking for a backup guard, and perhaps even the archetypal sixth man, the 10-year veteran was a logical option.
New York Knicks
The Knicks no longer need a backup point guard after signing Cam Payne and drafting Tyler Kolek. That’s without even mentioning Miles McBride, who was playing the best ball of his pro career in the back half of the season. After re-signing OG Anunoby and trading for Mikal Bridges, minutes on the wing have dried up too. It’s a hard sell to say Clarkson should get minutes over Donte DiVincenzo or Josh Hart.
The Knicks could still pivot, but their Jalen Brunson-led backcourt appears set.
Los Angeles Lakers
Maybe the Lakers will take a chance on Clarkson.
Though L.A. isn’t devoid on talent, they don’t stack up quite as well as a few other contenders on paper. Furthermore, though they’ve had strong stretches, neither D’Angelo Russell nor Austin Reaves has proven that they’re the third star the Lakers need. As a result, a player like Clarkson could come in handy. A confident scorer and steadily developing playmaker, he can provide a spark if Russell or Reaves fizzles. With Spencer Dinwiddie opting to sign with the Dallas Mavericks over them, L.A. has a legitimate use for him.
It would be remiss not to mention that the Lakers could be considering Tyus Jones or a reunion with Russell Westbrook.
At this point of their career, Jones is arguably the best point guard left in free agency due to his headiness and long-range precision. However, Westbrook is a boy’s club baller, contemporaries like LeBron James holding him in high esteem. Furthermore, because he’d be a more economic acquisition than either Clarkson or Jones, Westbrook may have the leg up on both of them. Nonetheless, Westbrook is thought to be joining the Denver Nuggets after he was bought out by by the Jazz.
