He’s a good fit anywhere, but he could be at his best with the right squad.
Filipinos love Jordan Clarkson. He’s been the Philippines’ best representative in the NBA for quite a while now. Plus, JC gives his all whenever he wears the Gilas Pilipinas jersey.
In this year’s staging of the FIBA World Cup in Manila, he erupted for 34 points against China to lead the Philippines to its lone win in the global hoops summit.
In the NBA, Clarkson is currently sidelined due to a hamstring injury. His team, the Utah Jazz, aren’t doing too well. They are 12th in the West with a 10-18 record. With this, it seems the Jazz are choosing to go in a different direction, as they have allegedly put Clarkson on the trading block.
For sure, many teams will be interested in pursuing a proven scorer in Clarkson, but only a few can truly be considered the most ideal landing spots for the Filipino-American bucket-getter.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets are one of the most promising young teams in the NBA. One of the biggest reasons behind it is the improved play of explosive Filipino-American guard Jalen Green. Building a connection with his Kuya JC will definitely light up Clutch City, both from a basketball and marketing standpoint.
Amassing a 13-12 slate at this point, they’ve already trumped the pundits’ preseason projections. It’s not hard to imagine Clarkson helping them reach another level.
The Rockets should initiate the trade by offering the Jazz a couple of their serviceable veterans like Victor Oladipo and Reggie Bullock Jr. and a couple of future picks.
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Boston Celtics
The Celtics are looking like the best team in the East, with the Milwaukee Bucks hot on their trail. If there is one glaring weakness in the storied franchise’s current makeup, it would be the lack of bench firepower.
So, what better way to solve that than by acquiring the 2021 NBA Sixth Man of the Year?
This deal might just get Boston over the hump, which also means Clarkson could finally get his first NBA chip. We say include Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser in a trade package for Utah’s scoring specialist.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers is where Clarkson started his career. Back then, the situation wasn’t ideal for a still-developing talent like him. Thus, he was shipped to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the Land, he showed flashes of brilliance playing alongside the great LeBron James. The team made it to the 2018 NBA Finals, but JC’s time with the Cavs ended early next season, as he was dealt to the Jazz.
Now that he’s an established hooper, a return to the Lakers will give Clarkson a second shot at winning it all with The King. The Purple and Gold are still in search of a consistent offensive boost, anyway, and JC could be the perfect guy.
Plus, the glitz and glamor of LA perfectly match his colorful personality.
See what we mean?
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The Lakers could trade away Gabe Vincent and Christian Wood and welcome JC back home.
(PM)