Jordan Clarkson may be on a new team next season. Even though that sentiment has been prevalent for three years now, it may be different this offseason because his deal is expiring. Flaws and all, Clarkson can still help a team, and one that could use him is the Milwaukee Bucks.
Despite coming up well short in the playoffs again, all indications are that Giannis Antetokounmpo will be back next season. That means the Bucks will do everything to build the best team around him. For that reason, Behind the Bucks Pass' Jackson Gordon floated the idea of the Bucks going after Clarkson.
This isn't just because of Antetokounmpo's presumed return but also because the Bucks are at risk of losing Kevin Porter Jr. this offseason in free agency. Gordon floated the possibility of Clarkson replacing Porter if he leaves the Bucks this offseason.
Porter put up the best numbers of his career when he arrived in Milwaukee, so he may be too expensive for the Bucks to retain. Clarkson could come in and not only take his role but would likely do it better, as he's been playing the role Porter had for half a season for almost a decade.
How a trade could work
To make a trade work between the two sides, Gordon floated Pat Connaughton (who will likely pick up his player option for next season) and one of the Bucks' young players, like Andre Jackson Jr., to get their hands on Clarkson.
For the Bucks, it's a slam dunk because they would get Clarkson and have the chance to work out their next deal with him. For the Jazz, though, it's a little more questionable. If Clarkson's market is weak enough that that's the best deal Utah can find for him, then so be it.
However, at this stage of his career, Connaughton is not much more than a contract. At the very least, Clarkson plays up to what he's being paid. They're trading a former Sixth Man of the Year who's still in his prime for a player who hasn't played legitimate rotation minutes in a while. Adding Jackson doesn't really justify making that move.
It's a weak return no matter what. While no, Clarkson definitely won't get the Jazz all that much if he's traded, what works in their favor is that he has an expiring contract in an offseason where teams will want cap flexibility now more than ever. The Jazz could use that to their advantage by acquiring a lesser player on a worse contract as long as it gets them another quality draft asset and/or young player for Clarkson.
The Bucks need Clarkson much more than the Jazz need Connaughton and Jackson. It would make sense to him on a winning team like the Bucks, but if the Jazz still want to go the trade route with Clarkson, don't be surprised if they look for better offers than what Milwaukee can offer.