The NBA trade deadline is almost here and the Los Angeles Clippers are heating up in rumors, as they are aiming to find the best deal possible for Lance Stephenson.
The NBA trade deadline is just a day away and the Los Angeles Clippers are finally starting to come into the conversation of who’s going to actually make some deals. The murmurs of Blake Griffin being available are shocking to say the least, although it’s still hard to buy the idea that the organization could believe they’re taking a step forward by trading a superstar as valuable as Griffin.
On the other hand, reports saying that the Clippers are looking to trade Lance Stephenson is far less surprising.
Since leaving the Indiana Pacers, he’s never been able to prove himself. With the Charlotte Hornets he never fit in and was incredibly inefficient, and now with the Clippers he’s been relegated to the bottom of the bench for most of the season until the last couple of weeks. Despite his extra minutes to show his improved play, though, it still looks like the Clippers’ plan is to move him.
It’s unfair seeing as he’s played pretty well when actually given the chance to do so, but it’s just another failed experiment by GM Doc Rivers.
Fred Kerber of the New York Post has reported that L.A. want to land a new shooting big man. While he hasn’t mentioned Stephenson, he’s still one of the only trade assets and will likely be involved in a trade:
"The Clippers also are said to be looking for a shooting big to sit free-throw disaster DeAndre Jordan late in games."
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports has gone further as per usual, though. He’s reported that the Clippers are close to finalizing a deal with the Orlando Magic to acquire combo big man (with a 39.7 percent three-point shot) Channing Frye.
Sources: For tonight, Clippers holding back on finalizing Frye deal with Orlando. Clippers plans to give Orlando final word on Wednesday.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 17, 2016
As well as Stephenson, the trade would involve C.J. Wilcox and possibly a future second round drat pick.
However, Woj has also added that the Clippers are looking for a bigger deal for Stephenson. With a team option on his $9 million salary for 2016-17, teams can waive him without thought this summer to free up cap space if they don’t want him for next season.
Unsurprisingly, Woj has reported that pulling off anything bigger than the Frye deal is a long shot. After a rough season in 2014-15 and his limited role now, Stephenson just doesn’t have much value to teams around the league.
Sources: Clippers are working on a bigger deal using Stephenson's contract, but that is a longshot. Most likely scenario still Orlando deal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 17, 2016
Frye would be a sound addition thanks to his ability to space the floor from three or inside the arc as a possible pick-and-pop or general catch-and-shoot option with the bench.
If the Magic trade him for Stephenson, it will be to create more cap space, which certainly seems to be their current plan after they traded Tobias Harris (currently making $16 million and $17 for 2016-17) to the Detroit Pistons.
Next: Clippers' NBA Trade Deadline Targets
While Doc must want to get as much as possible for Stephenson, who hasn’t worked out nearly as well as planned, there really won’t be many possibilities out there. He’s still talented and he should be able to contribute somewhere. But with the way he’s fallen off since being with the Pacers, he’s a hard player to trust or lose a notable trade asset for right now.