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Clippers: Why the Marcin Gortat trade makes sense for both franchises

By Ryan Snellings

WASHINGTON, USA - DECEMBER 15: Los Angeles Clipper DeAndre Jordan (6) and Washington Wizard Marcin Gortat (13) go for a rebound at the Capital One Arena in Washington, USA on December 15, 2017. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, USA - DECEMBER 15: Los Angeles Clipper DeAndre Jordan (6) and Washington Wizard Marcin Gortat (13) go for a rebound at the Capital One Arena in Washington, USA on December 15, 2017. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 15: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards reacts after the Wizards were called for a first half foul against the LA Clippers at Capital One Arena on December 15, 2017 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 15: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards reacts after the Wizards were called for a first half foul against the LA Clippers at Capital One Arena on December 15, 2017 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

The Los Angeles Clippers traded Austin Rivers to the Washington Wizards for Marcin Gortat. It makes a ton of sense for both franchises.

An early Woj bomb was dropped on Tuesday evening. The Washington Wizards agreed to trade Marcin Gortat to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Austin Rivers. This trade seemingly came out of nowhere, but the deal makes sense for both franchises, given their current states.

The Wizards

For the Wizards, they get a proven bench guard in Austin Rivers. Clippers fans can attest to his growth over the past few seasons and the Wiz badly needed bench help.

Last season, outside of Kelly Oubre and Mike Scott, the Wizards had inconsistent minutes from their bench. Tomas Satoransky was spotty for them as was Jodie Meeks and the team had to sign Ty Lawson for their playoff run. Rivers coming in gives them a guard they can trust off the bench and to take minutes, should one of Bradley Beal or John Wall go down to injury as they have in the past.

The team also had also reportedly been shopping Gortat after he and Wall reportedly argued all season. Gortat expected to be traded over the past few weeks, so this surely came as no surprise to him. The Wizards now have a hole at the center position, but with Dwight Howard and others entering free agency, expect them to use their mid-level exception to fill that starting spot.

Now, for the Clippers…

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