The Los Angeles Clippers have been one of the surprise teams of the NBA this season and they could shock the league even more if they pull of a blockbuster trade. At 12-6 after 18 games, the Clippers are tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies at the top of the Western Conference standings. What could happen if they added a superstar to their lineup this season?
For the conclusion of our three-part series, we analyze the Clippers’ best offer for the Warriors' star forward Kevin Durant if he becomes available in a trade. If the Clips get this deal done, they could be on their way back to respectability after losing star players Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan over the past few years.
The Trade Pieces
As with the previous teams we simulated a trade for (the Lakers and Knicks), the Clippers will have to give their absolute best offer to get the former MVP from the Warriors. The good thing going for the Warriors in a potential trade with the Clippers is that the players involved would actually fit very well on their team.
We’re talking about Tobias Harris and Lou Williams. These two have been at the forefront of L.A.’s resurgence this season. They lead the team in scoring at 21.4 and 18.8 points per game, respectively. With the addition of Harris and Williams, the Warriors would not only have a starter to replace Durant’s scoring, but they would also get a backup shooting guard who can score with the best of them and play like an All-Star.
Here’s how the teams’ rosters would look after the trade:
Warriors
Starters:
G – Stephen Curry
G – Klay Thompson
F – Tobias Harris
F – Draymond Green
C – DeMarcus Cousins
Reserves:
G – Quinn Cook
G – Shaun Livingston
G – Lou Williams
G – Damion Lee
G/F – Andre Iguodala
F – Kevon Looney
F/C – Jonas Jerebko
C – Damian Jones
Clippers
G – Patrick Beverley
G – Avery Bradley
F – Kevin Durant
F – Mike Scott
C – Marcin Gortat
Reserves:
G – Milos Teodosic
G – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
G – Jawun Evans
G – Jerome Robinson
G – Tyrone Wallace
G – Sindarius Thornwell
F – Montrezl Harrell
F – Luc Mbah a Moute
C – Johnathan Motley
C – Boban Marjanovic
Warriors Get Deeper
The Warriors’ depth looks really good with this lineup. On paper, this could actually be a better team than any of their teams prior to Durant’s arrival. The 2015-16 team historically had the best regular season ever with a 73-9 record. Despite losing in the Finals to the history-seeking Cleveland Cavaliers led by LeBron James, that Warriors team was essentially a championship team without the rings to prove it. Take note of the word “essentially.”
Without a ball dominant scorer from the wings like Durant, the Warriors won’t have as many problems with ball movement in the playoffs. But with a player like Harris in the forward position as opposed to Durant, the offense won’t be as stagnant the way it was in the Western Conference Finals when the Houston Rockets nearly beat them.
Traditionally, with a big man like DeMarcus Cousins taking up a lot of real estate down low and working his way toward the basket, the offense stalls already. This time, there’s one less ball stopper on the team.
Williams is instant offense off the bench for any team. He can sub for Klay Thompson and not lose a beat scoring-wise. Having Williams and Shaun Livingston as their backcourt subs would be huge for the Warriors. Small Ball won’t be as small when these two guards enter the game.
Clippers Get a Superstar
Durant is a legit superstar and one who is capable of taking over a game whenever he wants. He has the rings (two championships) and the trophies (2014 MVP, 2017 and 2018 Finals MVP awards) to show that he has what it takes to be “the Man” once again with a team to call his own. His game has developed to the point that he has become one of the better defenders in the league since playing for the Warriors. He is a legit two-way player and more than a handful for many of his opponents.
Let’s assume that Durant is willing to stay in L.A. next season and be the face of the Clippers for the foreseeable future. His presence on the roster would unquestionably add value to the franchise. There would be greater chances that other free agent stars would be attracted to playing for the Clippers because of Durant. This could result in the team not being satisfied with its roster and they might be wheeling and dealing again this season after acquiring the All-Star forward.
More to Come
If they are intent on becoming a playoff contender this season, the Clips need to add a few pieces here and there. Someone like John Wall or Bradley Beal would be quite helpful. Not to mention a player like Damian Lillard or Anthony Davis, who would be indispensable second stars alongside Durant. This is where NBA legend Jerry West comes in. The Logo will be able to help the Clippers strike better deals with other teams with him on board. They can build a championship team with West around even though he doesn’t call the shots any longer as the general manager of a team.
Final Verdict
Among the three teams in this series, the Clippers’ offer, with the players they can make available for a trade, may be the best fit for the Warriors. Should the Dubs decide that they’re willing to part ways with the soon-to-be free agent, they could look to make a trade with the L.A. team that doesn’t feature their rival from the previous four NBA Finals.
Given the unique circumstances surrounding the Warriors in their quest for a three-peat, the last thing they need is drama from within the team. If they are intent on keeping the locker room away from the soap-opera type atmosphere that has plagued previous teams seeking to win another title, they may want to call up the Clippers and see if they are willing to discuss a deal. Durant’s time in the Bay Area may be at its end and it may be best that he part ways with the Warriors sooner rather than later.
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