LA Lakers Trade Rumors: Colin Cowherd Predicts Clarkson, Nance, Russell Trade
The Los Angeles Lakers will reportedly trade some of their young talents including Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., and D'Angelo Russell as part of its attempt at a restart.
As superstar Kobe Bryant retires, the Los Angeles Lakers will be attempting to replace him by trading off some of their younger players during the offseason. Colin Cowherd, the host of "The Herd," predicted that Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., and D'Angelo Russell will be among the players to be traded for superstar players, according to the International Business Times AU.
Cowherd also said the Lakers want to retain Julius Randle because they believe he will be ready to be part of a great NBA team. He also predicted that the team would replace Clarkson, Nance, and Russell with free agents, the report details.
USA Today's Sam Amick notes that the Lakers know that Head Coach Byron Scott will most likely not be replaced and the team is headed for a downward spiral this season. Amick said the team can either fire a coach or bench a player, but the two things are also highly unlikely.
For most of the Lakers' games, Scott has let Bryant cover most of their playtime despite his low shooting percentage. Bryant's scores an average of 16.8 points per game but his field attempts average only 31.1 percent, the report relays.
Meanwhile, China Topix reports that Russell is not happy with the meager amount of playtime that Coach Scott is giving him. Rumor has it that he will be traded for Jahlil Okafor of the Philadephia 76ers. While Russell is reportedly not going to be as good as Bryant, he clearly has a bright future in the franchise.
The rumored trade plans of the Los Angeles Lakers come as no surprise, especially since the team bears a 3-11 record for the Western Conference.