Jazz

It looks like they will finally rebuild, so getting two young players who haven’t been developed properly with the Lakers will benefit them greatly. LeBron isn’t the best with young players as we saw in 2018 and 2019 so possibly THT has some untapped potential that was never realized because he played next to LeBron? It’s very possible, we never knew Kuzma would be this good and if he was freed faster then maybe he’d be on the trajectory everyone hoped he would be on. Utah doesn’t need Clarkson anymore as they aren’t trying to compete so getting a younger Clarkson replacement will help with their youth movement. THT and Clarkson play similar positions, so they may just fill the same role. The Jazz also get a great defensive big in Wenyen Gabriel which they don’t currently have (Udoka Azubuike/Walker Kessler is the center rotation currently). Gabriel is just 23 and is a very good defender, he may start over both Utah centers day 1.

New lineup: Conley, Mitchell, Bogdanovic, Vanderbilt, Gabriel

Lakers

The Lakers are trying to win, and one thing they are severely lacking in is playmaking. Clarkson brings immediate playmaking off the bench and will serve as the backup point guard. As Malik Monk moved on from the Lakers, Clarkson may be able to fill what Malik Monk was as a combo guard who started part time. Talen and Gabriel both weren’t consistently in the rotation last season while Clarkson definitely will be. I see Clarkson as a clear upgrade from Talen Horton Tucker for the short term, which is what the Lakers are looking for. The Lakers obviously are trying to win ASAP before LeBron leaves/retires. While Clarkson isn’t a great defender, he tries and isn’t a clear negative on that end.

New lineup: Westbrook, Clarkson, LeBron, Davis, Thomas Bryant