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For LA Clippers, Maintaining Cap Space is Key During Trade Season

By Ryan Snellings

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 1: Sindarius Thornwell #0 and owner Steve Ballmer of the LA Clippers talk before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 1, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 1: Sindarius Thornwell #0 and owner Steve Ballmer of the LA Clippers talk before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 1, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 31: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors during NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 31, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 31: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors during NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 31, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Scenario #1: The Clippers sign two max-contract players

This is what we all want, let’s be honest. If both Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard decide they want to team up for us, fans everywhere will rejoice. It won’t be a happy ending for a lot of players currently on the team, however.

Both Leonard and Durant will be 30% max players. If you don’t understand that, it means that the Clippers will need about $64.5 million in cap space to bring both players in.

Bradley has to be moved

Avery Bradley would almost have to be traded while not taking any salary back (unless it is an expiring contract which we renounce). His $12 million contract next season keeps us from having the space to sign two max-contract players.

Renouncing

We would also have to renounce the rights to every single player. This means bye-bye to Tobias Harris and a few other guys on the roster this year.

It also means that if the Clippers trade for Vucevic this season, they would have to renounce his rights as well. Oh well.

Other Option

If LA doesn’t want to lose Harris, their other option would be to move Danilo Gallinari either now for an expiring contract or for picks. Clearing his salary would allow them to keep Tobias’ Bird Rights while signing two max-contract guys.

The Bad News

Assuming we move Bradley for nothing and renounce everyone, including Tobias, guess what? We still don’t have enough cap space. This is where it gets bad.

Either Lou Williams or Montrezl Harrell would have to be moved to give the team the last bit of space that they need.

Yep. I warned you there would be something you didn’t like. Lou would be my choice to move, only because he is older and has a higher price tag.

The Clippers also have Jerome Robinson who has a similar skill set and the team still seems high on despite having gotten minimal minutes this season.

With Durant and Leonard on the team, giving up some bench scoring in the form of Lou wouldn’t be the end of the world and the team would still have Trezz to provide some energy for the second unit.

For two players like Durant and Leonard, it should still all be worth it.

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