Mirza Teletovic
This trade would allow the Clippers to replace Smith as a backup big and small-ball center and give them a totally different kind of option off the bench. Instead, they can have a power forward with a simple, yet vital role for any NBA team: a three-point, catch and shoot big.
That’s exactly what Mirza Teletovic is for the Suns, and as he’s started zero games for them this season and averages a modest 17.9 minutes a night, he’s probably not going to be totally off-limits for trade suggestions. If the Clippers can think of some kind of package deal to help ease Phoenix’s struggles (particularly their defensive problems with either Stephenson or Smith), maybe they can look into Teletovic.
This season, he’s averring 9.4 points and 2.1 made threes per game. If you convert his 41.9 percent three-point shooting and his production to 36 minutes of playing time, he averages a highly respectable 19 points and 4.1 made threes in that time span.
To replace Smith who never gets off the bench now, to take a few minutes away from Paul Pierce, and to end the terrible small-ball lineups, Teletovic could be a perfect, low maintenance addition.
If combined with either Griffin or DeAndre Jordan, it would obviously work well, as the former’s post play and the latter’s rebounding will benefit from Teletovic spacing the floor. As for his fit with the bench, his weaker defense will be helped by Cole Aldrich’s energy and presence in the paint, while he can still serve as an additional option for ball handlers like Austin Rivers and Crawford when they can’t find their own shot or attack the paint successfully.
Teletovic won’t need to be a player in a big role. He can simply step in as a complimentary piece to space the floor and take some pressure off the second unit guards trying to do all the scoring by themselves.
Another 40 percent three-point shooter always helps, and for that to come in the form of someone who can play at the four makes this target even more eye-catching for the Clippers.
Next: A point guard upgrade