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Clippers Trade Talk: 5 trade targets to finally fix L.A.’s bench

By Tom West

Nov 18, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) looks back to the bench in the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) looks back to the bench in the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 23, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 113-100. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 113-100. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Robert Covington

You may see this and wonder why on earth would the Clippers target someone who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers. They are the very definition of tanking and ugly, mistake-ridden basketball. Besides star rookie Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel, and the recently acquired Ish Smith, they’re practically devoid of talent. Except for one long, 6’9″ forward, Robert Covington.

Of course, he isn’t an amazing player, but the Clippers don’t need him to be. They just need someone to come in at the end of the rotation and make a difference in a controlled role, instead of spending all their time on the bench like Smith and Stephenson.

As an athletic 3-and-D player, Covington is exactly the kind of low value player that the Clippers can target. He has a 7’2″ wingspan and moves quick on his feet, which he’s used perfectly this season to average 1.7 steals per game (2.4 per 36 minutes). When he gets good minutes, he breaks up passing lanes to great effect, and during one three-game span in November he tallied a ridiculous total of 21 steals.

Even as a possible stretch-four, Covington would be more effective from three than Smith. He’s making 1.8 threes per game this season and made 2.4 last season, and with the Clippers’ far superior talent and playmakers, those totals (and his career three-point percentage of 35.7) should only increase in L.A.

A perk of targeting someone like Covington is that the 76ers are useless and basically everyone is available. Who knows what’s going on with their tanking situation, so if someone like Smith could be offered, they should be far more likely to accept than a team who think they actually have a chance of winning.

And ultimately, Covington is just a role player without a high trade value, seeing as most of their players are disposable while they rebuild (aka “tank”). The 76ers know that, so the likes of Wilcox and Dawson could easily be used by the Clippers in this possible scenario.

Next: A defensive upgrade

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