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Why the LA Clippers should not trade this season

By Jasmine Robinson

Nov 16, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) walk back to the bench for a time out in the second half of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center. Grizzlies won 111-107. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) walk back to the bench for a time out in the second half of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center. Grizzlies won 111-107. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 17, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 109-103. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 109-103. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Playoff Seeding

Everything comes down to their production in the playoffs, and their production in the playoffs has a lot to do with seeding. The LA Clippers have been sitting uncomfortably in the Western Conference’s four spot for the majority of the season, which is ideally not where they want to be come playoff time. If they get stuck in the four-five zone, they will presumably meet with the Golden State Warriors in the second round, which will up their chances of another dreaded second round exit.

Being in a six-seven seed come playoff time means a much easier couple of series, and the Clippers wouldn’t have to see the Warriors until the Conference Finals. With the Houston Rockets pretty much locked in the third seed, the Clippers’ only way out is down. Doing so would cost them home court, but it would be worth it.

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Obviously, no team in the league is going to intentionally play bad in an attempt to manually construct seeding. Though it may be a clever idea, it’s not in any professional athlete’s blood to intentionally play bad for any reason. All you can do as a fan is make predictions and hope for the best. Though there very much is a possibility that the Clippers could drop to a six or seven seed soon, they may be too much of a good team to stay there, especially with the return of Blake and Chris.

On the other hand, you also have to depend on Oklahoma City, Memphis, and Utah to play well so at least two of those teams advance ahead of them in positioning. All three of those teams have their own problems they’re dealing with, which makes it extremely hard to predict outcomes.

Despite all of that, you can’t deny the fact that aiming for a lower seed will make the playoffs much smoother. But alas, it’s trade season. Fans want to trade for more talent, but doing so will only juxtapose wanting to be a six or seven seed. Bringing in more talent will definitely not help the Clippers dip down in the playoff race, and finishing in the top three is virtually out of reach at this point.

Many fans don’t mind staying in the four-five zone and giving Golden State a run for their money in the second round. And that may be where the Clippers end up after all. But making trades in the meantime may be too much of a gamble.

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