The Los Angeles Clippers are once again toward the top of the Western Conference standings. They are also once again looking up at the Los Angeles Lakers.
It is not a surprise to see the two Los Angeles teams battling for supremacy. The Lakers and Clippers have some of the best superstars in the NBA, surrounded by quality starters and impact role players.
But the Lakers still have superiority as the reigning NBA champions and, as of Tuesday, the top team in the West. The Clippers are not likely to be content playing second fiddle.
LA figures to make a move prior to the March 25 trade deadline. One target in particular made a lot of sense for the Clippers during the offseason and would still be an interesting fit on the current roster.
The Trade: Clippers acquire Derrick Rose from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Lou Williams and 2022 second-round pick
Listen, the Detroit Pistons very well could get a better offer for Derrick Rose, who is on an expiring contract this season.
But if the Clippers can coax Detroit into this deal, they absolutely should. Shams Charania of The Athletic reports LA has expressed interest in Rose, and it makes all the sense in the world.
Rose is not the same guy he was at the beginning of the 2010s, obviously. However, the 31-year-old's per-36 line during the 2019-20 season was eerily similar to that of his 2010-11 MVP season.
The former Chicago Bulls star is still producing this season, though at a slightly lesser rate. Rose is averaging 14.8 points, 4.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game, though he has also seen a decrease in minutes per contest.
Some of you might be saying, “Why would the Clippers trade a key bench piece like Lou Williams in exchange for another aging guard in Rose?” Well, the three-time Sixth Man of the Year does not have much of a place on the roster, especially after the Clippers traded for Luke Kennard.
Williams is playing just 19.0 minutes per game and shooting under 40 percent from the field. The success of Nicolas Batum has allowed Tyronn Lue to play Paul George at the 2-guard, with Kennard eating minutes off the bench. This renders Lou Will mostly useless.
Plus, the Clippers have more evident needs at the point guard position.
Patrick Beverley is playing good basketball to start the season. The Chicago native is averaging 8.1 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 41.4 percent from deep and playing his typically pesky brand of defense.
But is Beverley the guy the Clippers want on the floor in key moments as they try to dethrone the Lakers? After all, the goal should be to construct a roster around beating the crosstown rival. Is Beverley the best option in this regard?
There is a pretty straightforward argument as to why Rose would be an upgrade to Beverley: he is a better shot creator and offensive playmaker.
The Lakers rank first in defensive rating. If the Clippers hope to score against LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Co., they need a guy who can go get a bucket outside of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Rose can be that guy.
Despite lacking his prior explosiveness, Rose is still very capable of getting into the lane and finishing at the rim. He has also done a tremendous job of remodeling his game to include more runners and floaters, in addition to some nifty pivots and pullbacks off dribble-drives.
Rose is capable of exploiting one-on-one matchups and getting his own shot. He might also excel in pick-and-pop with a stretch big like Serge Ibaka.
Ok, but what about Detroit? Why do the Pistons do this deal?
Lou Williams — like Rose — is also on an expiring deal, so the Pistons would still keep their books clear while also acquiring some draft capital. It is hardly a spectacular package, but accruing draft picks is vital for a rebuilding team like Detroit. Not to mention, the Pistons are ready to hand the keys to rookie Killian Hayes, as soon as the French teenager returns from injury.
If the Clippers hope to get past the Lakers, they need more backcourt scoring. Derrick Rose is the best option for LA given limited financial flexibility and few draft assets.
Follow Us
Subscribe