The LA Clippers are entering their toughest stretch of the 2021-22 NBA season, and they'll have to do it without the services of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Leonard is rehabbing following offseason ACL surgery, while George is resting following a torn UCL.

The Clippers are very likely satisfied with their roster, and all they need is a little health to get back on track. With the the number of players either injured or in health and safety protocols, however, the Clippers could elect to make some tough decisions as the trade deadline nears.

The team desperately lacks a scoring punch, and they've had to run point guard Reggie Jackson into the ground prior to him contracting COVID-19. If the Clippers were to make a move, which is by no means imminent, these players are all candidates to be involved given how the season has played out so far.

Eric Bledsoe:

2021-22: $18.1 million
2022-23: $19.4 million (non-guaranteed)

Serge Ibaka:

2021-22: $9.7 million

Justise Winslow:

2021-22: $3.9 million
2022-23: 4.1 million

Here are a few options the Clippers should look at with the trade deadline a month and a half away.

Eric Gordon. Rockets
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Eric Gordon – Houston Rockets

2021-22: $18.2 million
2022-23: $19.6 million
2023-24: $20.9 million (non-guaranteed)

Eric Gordon has been the Houston Rockets' second-best player this year behind Christian Wood, and has done it while coming off the bench. In 29 appearances this season, the Rockets guard is averaging 14.6 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game on 49 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from beyond the arc.

By all accounts, Gordon has been fantastic for the Rockets. He's been a consummate professional both on and off the court while acting as a mentor for the incredibly young Rockets squad. Gordon, who recently turned 33 years of age, is playing on a team whose rotation currently features four players 19-year of age in Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Usman Garuba, a 20-year old in Josh Christopher, a pair of 21-year olds in Kevin Porter Jr. and Kenyon Martin Jr. and a pair of 26-year olds in Christian Wood and Jae-Sean Tate.

So what is the Rockets timeline, and where does Gordon fit into that long-term?

Eric Gordon is in the second year of a four-year, $75.6 million contract. The fourth year of Gordon's contract for the 2023-24 season is non-guaranteed. He's a player that a contender will absolutely be interested in as the trade deadline nears. The Clippers and Rockets have worked out multiple, mutually beneficial deals in the past. LA should once again pick up the phone and call Houston to look into potentially bringing back their former seventh overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft.

Caris LeVert, Pacers
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Caris LeVert – Indiana Pacers

2021-22: $17.5 million
2022-23: $18.8 million

The Indiana Pacers have been stuck in mediocrity for a few years now, and it appears they're about done with it. Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner, and Caris LeVert are all expected to be involved in trade talks for the next two months.

With the Pacers expected to be sellers and LeVert one of the players reportedly available, the Clippers might want to look into the guard/forward's availability. In 26 appearances this season, LeVert is averaging 17.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game on 43.2 percent shooting from the field and 31.2 percent from beyond the arc.

The 27-year old LeVert has two years left on his three year, $52.5 million deal. Matching salaries with the Clippers wouldn't be an issue, and LA could throw in a young player or two to sweeten the pot for Indiana. Now, that's not to say the Pacers would accept this offer, as they'll likely have a number of suitors for LeVert.

The Clippers should just be in the conversation for him. A healthy – emphasis on healthy – Big Three of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Caris LeVert would put the Clippers in serious contention for a title while taking a lot of pressure off one another.

Hawks, Bogdan Bogdanovic
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Bogdan Bogdanovic – Atlanta Hawks

2021-22: $18 million
2022-23: $18 million
2023-24: $18 million

The Atlanta Hawks have some big decisions to make. They recently gave big contract extensions to Trae Young, John Collins, and Kevin Huerter. De'Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish are both eligible for a rookie extension. Clint Capela is locked in for another four years.

Most of those guys are young guys, and there's no real reason the Hawks would give up on any of those guys.

Bogdan Bogdanovic is a good player, and could be useful for the Hawks, as shown in the 2021 postseason. The team, however, has a lot of money committed elsewhere with a lot more still needed to be decided on. Bogdanovic would be a near-seamless fit with the Clippers, as his ball-handling, shot-making, and playmaking are all things they could instantly use.

In 44 appearances last season, Bogdanovic averaged 16.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game on 47 percent shooting from the field and 43.8 percent from beyond the arc. His numbers are down across the board this season, and most of it has to do with the Hawks no longer using him as a primary ball-handler, even when Trae Young is on the court. Under Nate McMillan, Bogdonovic's usage rate is down, and the Hawks have put the ball in some of their younger players' hands more.

The 29-year old is currently in the second year of a four-year, $72 million deal with Atlanta. A trade to LA would solidify the depth alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, when healthy that is. Atlanta might be intrigued by a secondary ball-handler and rim-attacker behind Trae Young or possibly a floor spacing big behind Clint Capela.

A potential move would give the Clippers someone they can go to to close games when both of their stars are out, which is something they've struggled with at times this season.