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The Los Angeles Clippers trade is scary, but opens the future

By Brian Cullen

PLAYA VISTA, CA- JUNE 19: Lawrence Frank, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations of the Los Angeles Clippers with Jerry West as Special Consultant at a press conference in Playa Vista, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
PLAYA VISTA, CA- JUNE 19: Lawrence Frank, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations of the Los Angeles Clippers with Jerry West as Special Consultant at a press conference in Playa Vista, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 30: Los Angeles Clippers Center DeAndre Jordan (6), Los Angeles Clippers Guard Lou Williams (23), Los Angeles Clippers Guard Tyrone Wallace (12) and Los Angeles Clippers Guard Milos Teodosic (4) look on during an NBA game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Clippers on January 30, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 30: Los Angeles Clippers Center DeAndre Jordan (6), Los Angeles Clippers Guard Lou Williams (23), Los Angeles Clippers Guard Tyrone Wallace (12) and Los Angeles Clippers Guard Milos Teodosic (4) look on during an NBA game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Clippers on January 30, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Risk and The Future

Given the history and past of the Clippers one might think that being in playoff contention would be enough to keep a franchise happy, especially one that hasn’t been a playoff team for most of it’s existence. Breaking up the most successful core the team has ever had is a huge risk. This move is bold, but makes a statement; being good is not good enough.

Trading away proven stars to enter cap flexibility, youth, and draft picks means this front office has an objective. Given the talent and gifted minds of the Clippers’ front office this rebuild can happen relatively quickly. Boston was able to do it in a few years extremely successfully.

This is a team and office that doesn’t just want to win games, but a title. Resetting the clock means they’re being strategic about that goal. This kind of thinking and planning is unprecedented for the Clippers. It’s hard to remember, but Lob City was slightly an accident. The League gifted Chris Paul to the Clippers. Turning back the clock could mean reopening a title window right around the same time the window is starting to close for Golden State and Houston.

The moves are scary, the future isn’t set, but the Clippers embark into the unknown once again. This time they do it with a few more battle scars, seasoned generals, and a concise goal in mind. We’ve never seen it like this before, so there’s no reason not to trust it, or at the very least, be excited for what’s to come.

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