Los Angeles Lakers' young gun Jordan Clarkson is rumored to possibly be traded in midseason as the team is reportedly not keen on committing its future in the 2015 NBA All-Rookie First Teamer.

The 23-year-old Filipino-American may be the Hollywood squad's best player at the moment, but he is the team's best trade asset as well, according to Bleacher Report's Dan Favale.

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Much of the issue regarding Clarkson being a trade bait is his expiring two-year, $1.4 million contract, which is set to inflate dramatically next summer not only as the overall league salary cap will spike but also because of the vast improvement in the young point guard's play.

In his rookie year last season, Clarkson averaged 11.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 25 minutes of play per game enough for him to be named in the All-Rookie squad. He was also third in the team when it comes to Player Efficiency Rating with a PER of 16.9 behind Ed Davis' 20.0 and Kobe Bryant's 17.7.

This season, though, he is leading the Lakers in scoring with 15.6 ppg in 16 games so far as he carrying much of the offensive and playmaking roles in Byron Scott's rotation. On top of that are his 3.3 rpg, 2.4 apg, and now team-leading PER of 16.2 among active players, making him earn his impending salary increase next season.

Clarkson is set to make almost $1.2 million in the final year of his deal with the Lakers before becoming a restricted free agent in the summer of 2016.

Fansided noted that Clarkson is steadily "raising his price" because of his "continued strong play". Because of his improved value, a lot of teams is expected to make a full-blown offer to the former Missouri standout.

Favale projected his salary next year could jump to around $10 million annually, which is ten times higher than what he is currently receiving in Los Angeles' $89 million salary cap.

With the Lakers expected to pursue Kevin Durant next year, it seems like they can no longer afford Clarkson and so a trade this year would be inevitable if they want to get something out of him.

TagsNBA Trade Rumors, NBA trade rumors 2015, Lakers Trade Rumors, Los Angeles Lakers, Jordan Clarkson