Trades are one of the most exciting aspects of an NBA season. The LA Clippers are poised to make big moves next summer, but before they do, there are some trades that they might want to consider.
If the Clippers are looking to make moves this season, they will likely be looking to give away longer contracts in return for expiring deals and to cash in on the success of hot players. Considering their success this season, many players from the roster are likely catching interest from other teams. Here are five trades the Clippers could make with other Western Conference teams.
Mini Minnesota Trade
Minnesota Timberwolves receive: SG Avery Bradley
LA Clippers receive: PF Taj Gibson
The Clippers likely are hoping to have as much spending money as possible when free agency begins on July 1, 2019. In a way, Avery Bradley is a question mark for the Clippers, as his recently signed contract expires in the summer of 2020 rather than this summer. Before his tenure with the Clippers, when on the Boston Celtics, Bradley displayed the ability to stretch the floor from three point range, rebound as a wing, and play top tier perimeter defense. When not fighting injuries, Bradley has struggled to translate his shooting and rebounding to the Clippers. Perhaps it just the system, or maybe it the Clippers logjam at the guard positions, but Bradley isn’t what he used to be. A change of scenery may be just what he needs.
Taj Gibson was looking like he was set to be a career Chicago Bull before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the 2017 trade deadline. He then proceeded to sign with the Timberwolves that summer and remains on the roster today. He anchored the teams post-defense last season and his true value was immeasurable on a stat sheet. While his defense is very important, as Karl-Anthony Towns is still developing defensively, Gibson may be on the outside looking in when his contract his contract expires in July 2019.
With the recent Jimmy Butler trade to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Timberwolves acquired young power forward Dario Saric, who has shown a lot of potential and will likely be fighting for Gibson’s starting spot. His ability to shoot from three will make it so Towns has a lot of room to work inside the paint. Gibson is already 33 years old, making him 9 years older than Saric. Saric is clearly the future of the power forward position in Minnesota and Gibson may be needing to find a new home soon.
This trade would give the Timberwolves someone who can somewhat fill the hole at shooting guard left by Jimmy Butler in the form of Avery Bradley. If he were to return to his Boston Celtics form, Bradley might help Wiggins develop defensively and become the franchise cornerstone that Minnesota expected after trading Kevin Love for him in 2014. The Butler trade has helped Minnesota by adding more floor spacers, something they struggled with for the past few seasons, and this would help them even more adapt to the modern NBA. If Bradley were to thrive in his new role, Minnesota’s front office could breathe easy knowing that he still has another year on his contract.
This trade also would help the Clippers clean up their excessive amount of guards. Tyrone Wallace, Lou Williams, Jerome Robinson, and Sindarius Thornwell all spend time at the two-guard position and would each get more run time with one less guy getting minutes. Taj Gibson would give the Clippers the post-defense that he has given each of his three prior teams. Neither Boban Marjanovic nor Marcin Gortat are defensive aces and Gibson would bring the team an aspect to help them defy odds even more. His contract expires after this season, but if he is willing to re-sign on a team-friendly deal, he should be welcomed back with open arms.