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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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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 29: Los Angeles Clippers Guard Avery Bradley (11) looks to make a pass during a NBA game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Clippers on December 29, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 29: Los Angeles Clippers Guard Avery Bradley (11) looks to make a pass during a NBA game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Clippers on December 29, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Trade Season: How the Clippers can help themselves now

This is where it gets tricky. The front office cannot get sucked into making a win-now trade. The team has looked better than pretty much all of us expected, but they still are a ways away from championship contention.

As I said in both scenarios, moving Avery Bradley is a big time benefit to the team in the summer. He is eligible for trades on January 15th, so start looking for rumors near that date. LA just cannot bring any salary back unless it is for an expiring contract for a player they are willing to part with after this season.

There’s also the issue at center. As I mentioned earlier, Nikola Vucevic has been discussed in fan circles as a trade target, but if the Clips want to hang onto Gallinari, Harris, Williams and Harrell while bringing in an All-Star, Vucevic just doesn’t fit.

His hold for next summer is slightly over $19 million, so someone would have to be let go if he were acquired at the deadline with the intention of retaining him.

There are scenarios where he is on the team, such as moving Lou, Trezz or Gallo, but I am uncertain of how likely any of that is. There are centers available next summer, such as both Lopez brothers, JaVale McGee and Kyle O’Quinn who could be signed using the available cap space.

There are several paths for the LA Clippers this summer. We all know Lawrence Frank, Jerry West and Michael Winger have been setting themselves up for some time now and understand these scenarios and probably 100 others. Winger when discussing free agency last summer had this to say:

"“Very, very, very little of what we do is last-minute,” Winger said. “If anything that we do is last-minute, it’s because there were circumstances that popped up for which even the most thoughtful people probably could not have prepared.”"

Next. Does DeMarcus Cousins deserve a look this summer?. dark

Free agency for 2019 realistically started a while ago and trade season is just another part. The LA Clippers will have to make sure they remain set up for the big moves they are planning.

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