The NBA trade deadline is just hours away, and another player the Los Angeles Clippers have shown some interest in is Ryan Anderson of the New Orleans Pelicans.
As one of the top commodities on the NBA trade market, Ryan Anderson won’t be leaving the New Orleans Pelicans easily. It looks likely that they’ll trade him in order to prevent losing him for nothing when he commands a big contract in free agency this summer, but he’s still valuable and is worthy a notable return. For a team like the Los Angeles Clippers, this surely puts Anderson out of reach as they have so few tradable assets. Yet, with the deadline hours away, they’re at least interested.
Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times has reported their interest, although he’s also mentioned their lack of draft picks as another reason why Anderson will be so difficult to acquire.
Have heard Clippers also have interest in Ryan Anderson, though he may be tough to get since Clips' next tradeable first-round pick is 2019.
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) February 18, 2016
Jamal Crawford still has value, but with Doc Rivers’ loyalty to him and his improved efficiency as of late, it’s hard to see him being dealt anywhere. As for Lance Stephenson, he’d need to be combined with any other minor assets the Clippers have (such as C.J. Wilcox) to even create a hope of landing someone like Anderson. There will simply be far better offers out there that the Pelicans can accept instead.
However, the idea of adding a floor spacing big man like Anderson appears to be the Clippers’ focus at the deadline. Instead of someone on Anderson’s level, though, it looks like Channing Frye of the Orlando Magic could soon end up in L.A.
The Los Angeles Clippers are nearing agreement on a deal to acquire Orlando's Channing Frye, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 17, 2016
In fact, the Clippers are reportedly close to completing a final deal, as Adrian Wojnarowski or Yahoo! Sports has reported. In exchange for Stephenson, Wilcox, and possibly a future draft pick, the Clips receive Frye — a big man with a 39.7 percent three-point shot this season.
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Even though he isn’t on Anderson’s level, Frye would ideally be the kind of big to help the second unit offense and maintain good floor spacing next to players like Luc Mbah a Moute at small forward and Cole Aldrich at center.
It’s only a short matter of time until we see if this deal does take place, which will either end Stephenson’s untapped potential in L.A. or keep him around; at least until Doc finds another deal to move him on.
There haven’t been any other possible trades emerge in rumors, so while targeting Anderson is probably little more than a pipe dream, Frye looks like the Clippers’ most likely acquisition right now.
Next: Clippers' NBA Trade Deadline Targets
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