I would NEVER give up Clarkson.

[Man of Troy]

Jordan was so much fun to watch last year and was really the one bright spot of the team, the one thing you could look at and say we did something right. That said I'm going to try and be objective about him. He reminds me a lot of Jamal Crawford early in his career and that's what I see as his most likely career path. I see a guy who could be a starter on a lot of teams but who would be best served being a 6th man energy guy who gives you big scoring ability and lots of other skills off the bench. Probably could win a couple of 6th man of the year awards in that situation.

It's definitely possible that he could do better than that, but that is what I see as most likely for him. As it is he's already going to have to improve his 3pt shooting and his defense just to get to Crawford level (and Crawford was not a good defender). So I see him as a valuable piece and good player, but definitely not something that I would be unwilling to trade.

[Mamba Venom]

Unrestricted FA in 1 year right. He is the best bargain in the NBA this season 0.5 mil. STUD

Where you getting unrestricted from?

ooooops
at least we can match

[Pointgod]

For me Clarkson is worth around a mid range 1st round pick, partly due to the pick being locked into a rookie deal for half a decade. I see him in the same class as a player like MCW, good at a lot of things but not really great at anything, as a guard I don't forecast him as a player who is going to be the one with the ball in his hands with a playoff series on the line and I don't forecast him as an elite 3pt shooter that can play that off the ball role to its full extent. Add in that he's up for a new deal in one year when the cap rises and that's where I come to his value.

I think he's going to be a really good player and a key piece to a title but as a complimentary player like Rick fox, Derek fisher, etc. Essential player but not irreplaceable and not someone that is part of a "big 3".

Hope I'm totally wrong though.

Cosign this post. I also see Clarkson as a mid teens pick, but I'd quickly trade him for a lottery pick or a young all star. At best he'll be a really good starter. I see him as a similar player to Jeff Teague. I don't buy the hype that he's the second best guard after Westbrook(like WTF really?) He's a young guy that found himself, but put up numbers on a bad team.

[H00PDREAMS]

Before we fall in love with this guy, lets all agree that the Lakers should at least wait to see him perform in year 2 of his career. This season should either be either a showcase (pending a possible trade package) or him solidifying his place on the Lakers for the duration.

[Jakay]

I'm just... amazed by the dedication in this thread.

: I wouldn't trade him for LeBron, Griffin, Floyd Mayweather and DMC combined!

No but seriously, there's a line, then there's strapping a nuclear bomb to that line, with a can of paint, and hoping everyone will still see a line when it's all said and done.

This post sucks, I'm too tired.

[Jakay]

I can't imagine any scenario where Clarkson isn't traded, unless Russell goes for DMC. Way too useful as a tradable asset now.

[Michael Lucky]

I can't imagine any scenario where Clarkson isn't traded, unless Russell goes for DMC. Way too useful as a tradable asset now.

Byron has stated before that Clarkson will develop at the two long term, which makes sense given his style of play. Clarkson at the 2 and Russell at 1 works just fine. Besides it was already reported that the Lakers org saw no reason to believe those two wouldn't mesh well together.

[Jakay]

I didn't say they couldn't play together, I just think with an assumably star guard on board, Clarkson becomes too much of a trading card to not use in a deal somehow.