Fansided

Lakers reportedly make Randle, Clarkson and Nance available via trade

By Tre LyDay

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 18: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on December 18, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 18: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on December 18, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Lakers are already putting their 2018 plans in motion, making three of their core players available via trade.

The Lakers are currently 12-27 and are tied for the second worst record in the NBA after beating the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night. LaVar Ball’s prediction of the Lakers making the playoffs this season is looking more and more like it’s not going to happen.

So for a team that has some pretty big plans this offseason they have to start making some moves as we approach the February trade deadline. Julius Randle was already thought to be one of the guys that would be on the trade block, but Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. have joined him, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

As it stands the Lakers won’t be able to keep their own pick, because it’s projected to fall between picks two and five. They will receive the Phoenix Suns pick this year because it’s unprotected, but the Suns are 16-26 right now and that pick may fall to around the No. 10 pick if they keep up this season.

Part of the reason the Lakers would want to trade Julius Randle is because if he plays too many minutes his qualifying offer gets more expensive should the Lakers fail to trade him. Randle is a high energy guy that can run the floor extremely well. He works well with Lonzo Ball because of his athletic ability which is why it’s interesting the Lakers would still try to trade him.

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As for Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. they could both fetch the Lakers a decent return especially Clarkson. He’s under contract until 2020, and will make over $12 million the next couple of seasons. If the Lakers want to make good on their wish to bring in a big name free agent or two they will still have to make some room in the salary cap, and dumping Clarkson would be a start.

All three of these guys would be valuable trade targets for a lot of teams. The Lakers could knock out two birds with one stone getting cap relief, and acquiring a few more picks especially if they lose their own pick to the Boston Celtics.

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