BREAKING: Former Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson Says He No Longer Wants to Play for the Utah Jazz, as He Is Inclined to Move to the Los Angeles Lakers This Summer.

Jordan Clarkson, the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year, has reportedly stated his intention to leave the Utah Jazz and rejoin the Los Angeles Lakers in an unexpected move this offseason. According to people close to Clarkson, the seasoned guard is interested in moving to Los Angeles this summer, where he started playing in the NBA in 2014.

Over the last four and a half seasons, Clarkson, 32, has been a vital member of the Jazz’s squad, offering leadership in the locker room and immediate offensive output off the bench. Clarkson, though, seems prepared to move on as Utah embarks on a new stage of its rebuilding effort that is focused on young players like Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen.

League insiders claim that Clarkson thinks a return to the Lakers may offer him a chance to compete for an NBA championship and a more competitive atmosphere. The Lakers are anticipated to be aggressive in free agency and the trade market this summer in an attempt to strengthen their squad, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis still leading the way in Los Angeles.

According to reports, Clarkson and the Lakers, who are coming off a dismal early playoff exit, have expressed interest in getting back together. He is a perfect fit for a team trying to bolster its bench and increase offensive consistency because of his scoring prowess, veteran knowledge, and familiarity with the Lakers’ culture.

Prior to being moved to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Clarkson was a member of the Lakers from 2014 to 2018. In 2019, he finally made his way to the Utah Jazz, where he was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2021. Clarkson averaged 17.1 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game during the 2024–25 campaign.

According to insiders, Clarkson’s representatives have communicated his preference to the Jazz front office and anticipate that the team will cooperate with him on a trade, even though a transaction has not yet been consummated. Depending on what the Jazz want in exchange, Clarkson’s one-year contract may make trade talks more difficult.The Clarkson issue is likely to become one of the more heavily followed narratives as free agency draws near. A trade with the Lakers would be a full circle moment for the seasoned guard and might serve as a catalyst for a team keen to contend for the championship again.