Subscribe
Follow Us
Several NBA contenders have already bolstered their respective rosters ahead of the 2021 Trade Deadline next week. The Los Angeles Clippers are well aware of this and are likely plotting their next move as well.
The Clips, after all, do need all the help they can get at the moment after losing six of their last 10 games and dropping to 26-16 overall, currently tied with the Denver Nuggets for the 4th and 5th spots in the West.
There are still plenty of enticing names reportedly on the trade block right now that LA could pursue. But with no cap room nor future assets to bargain with, it may be hard for them to present an enticing package for other teams to bite.
We’ve seen Clippers teams of the past go into desperation mode in a bid to make blockbuster deals, which eventually did not pan out for them in the end.
While they do not need to make drastic roster moves right now, it’s also wise to at least consider improving their current nucleus while they still have the chance.
Let’s list the three worst mistakes that the Los Angeles Clippers can make as the 2021 NBA Trade Deadline looms.
Break the bank for Kyle Lowry
The Clippers’ most glaring need since last season has been their lack of a true point guard to facilitate their offense. As great as superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have been at getting their own looks, LA’s offense can reach another level if there’s one guy who can set the table up for those two stars.
Kyle Lowry, perhaps the greatest player in Toronto Raptors history, ticks all those boxes. The Raptors are going nowhere this season and it looks like the franchise would want to start their rebuild by clearing away Lowry’s massive salary early.
It’s not hard to see why the Clips should chase hard for Lowry if given the chance. The six-time All-Star is a true facilitator who already has an NBA title on his belt. He also has experience being teammates with Leonard so the chemistry is already there.
But if you look at it from a different perspective, he is an aging guard with an expiring contract worth $30 million. Yikes.
For the Clips to get a shot a matching Lowry’s huge salary, they will have to gut their bench and send all their enticing trade assets like Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley, and Patrick Patterson in one big package. Even that won’t be enough.
Instead of putting all their cards on Lowry, LA will be better off going for a younger, not to mention cheaper route. Pelicans playmaker Lonzo Ball is reportedly on the market. The Clips can also look into a deal with the Wolves for Ricky Rubio.
If they’re feeling stingy, a veteran like George Hill on the Thunder could be an x-factor that doesn't hurt their depth.
Choose star power over fit with the team
The Clippers hit the jackpot last year when they acquired both Leonard and George to form the most star-studded wing rotation in the league. They’ve been trying to lure in a third star to form a Big 3 of their own since then.
As enticing as it sounds to have a formidable trio to match the one in Brooklyn, the Clips would be better off addressing their needs first instead of going for the best talent available.
They need a playmaker and another decent rim protector, which don’t necessarily have to be All-Star-caliber players.
Having Lowry, or Andre Drummond, or maybe even Kevin Love or LaMarcus Aldridge in a Clipper jersey sounds great in theory, but it may not be the best play for them at the moment.
Clippers staying idle
The worst mistake the Clippers can make is to not make a move at all. The LA brass has not been aggressively hunting for talent since acquiring Serge Ibaka and Nicolas Batum in free agency in the offseason and has not tinkered with the line-up since then.
Who can blame them? The team is still in a good place in the top four of the West standings and still looks like world-beaters.
The team’s new additions are fitting in well, while they are still getting by despite their guards, Beverley and Williams’, limitations.
Reports about Bev and Williams being on the trade block have been since the season has begun. There’s no better time to move them than now. There’s still some interest for a defensive irritant like Beverley or instant offense like Sweet Lou.
The Clips don’t have the luxury of sending away future picks in any deal, and they can only offer the active players they have right now.
