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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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TORONTO, ON – APRIL 25: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards high fives during the first half of Game Five against the Toronto Raptors in Round One of the 2018 NBA playoffs at Air Canada Centre on April 25, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)”
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 25: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards high fives during the first half of Game Five against the Toronto Raptors in Round One of the 2018 NBA playoffs at Air Canada Centre on April 25, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)” /

Working the cap

Bringing in Marcin Gortat also helps the Clippers with their cap. The goal of the front office has seemed to always be the summer of 2019, whether or not DeAndre stays. Gortat’s contract expires after this year, so bringing him in only for a season is no loss. It’s essentially a rental and the Clippers are fine with that.

No, the team does not improve with this trade, but they owe their first round pick to the Boston Celtics next season if it falls outside of the lottery. Being bad isn’t the end of the world for the Clips. Gortat also will only earn $13.5 million per year, so if the Clippers manage to trade DJ to the Mavericks, they won’t have to take back any salary. This gives them even more space for the summer, depending on later deals that they make.

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