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Clippers Trade Talk: L.A.’s NBA trade deadline targets

By Tom West

Dec 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Darrell Arthur (00) puts up a layup over Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Nuggets won 104-96. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Darrell Arthur (00) puts up a layup over Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Nuggets won 104-96. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Mirza Teletovic (35) shoots the ball against Houston Rockets center Josh Smith (5) at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Rockets won 111 – 105. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Mirza Teletovic (35) shoots the ball against Houston Rockets center Josh Smith (5) at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Rockets won 111 – 105. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

Mirza Teletovic

Editor’s note: here’s a look at Mirza Teletovic — a lower priority target for the Clippers after the previous three players, but someone who could be worthy of some interest, as I discussed here last month.

The previous three players should be Doc’s priority if he’s going to target a backup big. Simply because his team are already elite offensively and they struggle more on defense with the bench and are useless on the boards. The previous three options address these issues more than who the Phoenix Suns could have to offer.

However, this idea isn’t without merit. It can allow the Clippers to replace the recently departed Josh Smith as a backup big to 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 just one game for them this season and averages a modest 18.2 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 defensive struggles (perhaps with Stephenson), maybe they can look into Teletovic.

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This season, he’s averring 9.8 points and 2.1 made threes per game. If you convert his 40.6 percent three-point shooting to 36 minutes of playing time, he averages a highly respectable 19.4 points and 4.1 made threes in that time span.

To replace the now departed Smith, to take a few minutes away from Pierce with some more size, Teletovic could be a perfect, low maintenance addition.

If combined with either Griffin or Jordan, it would obviously work well, as the former’s post play/interior passing and the latter’s rebounding will benefit from Teletovic spacing the floor. As for his fit with the bench, his weak defense will at least be less obvious next to Aldrich’s energy and presence in the paint, while he can still serve as an additional option for ball handlers like Rivers and Crawford when they can’t find their own shot or attack the paint successfully.

Next: Clippers won't overreact enough to trade Blake Griffin, right?

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 if the Suns don’t ask for too much in return.

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