FanPost

Should the Pistons be interested in Lakers' Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr?

Other than the Fournier rumors, and that the Pistons are interested in help at the wing, other news has been circulating these last few days. The Lakers are willing to trade some of their young guys. Reportedly, they are making Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr. available for trades.

These three guys are still young, and they have some potential still, and they are having pretty solid seasons. I don't know if the Pistons are interested in any of them, but maybe they should be. Here's a closer look to each of these guys:

JORDAN CLARKSON

Age 25. PG/SG. 4th season in NBA. 2 more years remaining in his contract (around 12M a year).

2017-18 Stats: 23.1 MPG, 14.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 3.1 APG, 0.7 SPG, 45%FG, 35%3PT, 76%FT.

His contract is affordable and he can play the 1 and the 2. His stats this season are very very good, considering he's only playing 23 minutes per game. Do the Pistons need him? Probably not. But if the Pistons want to part ways with Reggie Jackson, he is a young point guard they may consider. Also, if Avery Bradley doesn't plan on resigning, Clarkson could also be a guy they could get to share minutes with Kennard at the 2. I don't know what the Lakers would want for him, but in a trade only involving him, I'd offer a package of Galloway, Ellenson and a second rounder. I don't think they want Reggie Jackson, so if the Pistons were to give Clarkson big PG minutes, they must find another team to send Jackson.

JULIUS RANDLE

Age 23. PF. 4th season in NBA. Will be restricted free agent this summer.

2017-18 Stats: 22.7 MPG, 13.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.7 BPG, 55%FG, 24%3PT, 68%FT.

Like Clarkson, his stats are very very good. He's posting 13-7 in under 23 minutes, and he's being very effective offensively. Although he is interesting, I don't think the Pistons want him. Tobias could be moved to the three and get more minutes there, to let more free minutes at PF for Randle, but SVG usually likes shooting PF's who can stretch the floor. Randle isn't that at all; he's esentially an undersized interior player (a center). Plus, he will get paid this summer (I have no idea how much, but I'm guessing more than 10M per year for sure), and the Pistons won't pay him that ammount at all.

LARRY NANCE JR.

Age 25. PF. 3rd season in NBA. 1 more year remaining in his contract (2.3M in 2018-19).

2017-18 Stats: 21.5 MPG, 8.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 59% FG, 63%FT.

He's young and cheap, but he's a limited player. He basically dunks (a lot and very well), plays hard and gets rebounds. His numbers, though, aren't bad at all. Like Clarkson and Randle, he isn't playing big minutes, but when he plays, he does it pretty well. The Pistons could use him this season and the next one as a backup big man. Getting some PF minutes, and although he's only 6-9, maybe some center minutes as well. I don't think he'd play much with SVG, but if you have a young and cheap guy, who can play 10 to 20 valuable minutes every night, that's not bad. As for what the Lakers want for him, I don't know. I'd give them Ellenson and a second rounder, but that may not be enough. I'd maybe swap him and Stanley Johnson, who knows.

Maybe the Lakers think these guys have more value and ask for more (Kennard, first rounders, etc.), but I wouldn't be willing to do that.

So, esentially, for Clarkson, I'd offer Galloway, Ellenson and a secound rounder. They get a veteran shooter, with an affordable contract, a young scoring PF with potential and a secound round pick.

For Randle, I don't think the Pistons should make a move, unless it's some kind of no-brainer deal.

And for Nance, I'd offer Ellenson and second rounder, or straight up swap Stanley and Nance (they may have to include a pick here).

But then, the Lakers may want to somehow involve Luol Deng in any trade for these young guys. Deng is owed over 18M for two more years, he's 32 and basically pretty bad. So, if they want to send us Deng, I would say not at all, that's the last thing the Pistons need.

Finally, there could be a way to combine both trade scenarios I proposed: where the Pistons would get Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr., and the Lakers would get Langston Galloway, Henry Ellenson and Stanley Johnson. Seems fair to me, if not, add a secound rounder.

Do you think the Pistons should be interested? What do you think about the deals I proposed? Would the Lakers accept any of them?

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