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LA Clippers: Anthony Davis Trade Doesn’t Change Anything

By Ryan Snellings

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 23: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a game against the LA Clippers at the Smoothie King Center on October 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 23: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a game against the LA Clippers at the Smoothie King Center on October 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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The trade of Anthony Davis to the Lakers sent shock waves through the entire NBA, but for the LA Clippers and the free agency landscape, nothing changes.

It finally happened. After months of chatter surrounding Anthony Davis joining the Los Angeles Lakers, the All-Star forward was finally dealt. The move sent shock waves through the NBA as the draft approaches later this week and free agency is soon to follow.

Every media outlet will certainly cover the effects of this trade on the league at large, but for us only one thing matters: How will this affect the LA Clippers and their hopes in free agency?

TL;DR: It doesn’t.

Yes, the Lakers will now be even bigger players in free agency as they can open up just north of $32 million in cap space in order to either sign another max contract player or fill out their roster, but their goals and the Clippers’ seemingly have no overlap.

For the Clips, Kawhi Leonard still remains the primary target. Since the trade earlier, several big name players have been mentioned in connection to the Lakers (Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving and Jimmy Butler are the main culprits), but Leonard has been absent.

Even though he is coming off a Finals MVP performance, it never really seemed like he would be the Lakers target. Sure, the on the court product would make sense, but Leonard doesn’t seem like someone who would embrace that team’s culture.

Kevin Durant, the Clips’ other target this summer, also doesn’t seem a likely candidate to join the purple and gold. His devastating injury during The Finals may have changed plans for him this summer, but many believe he will either head east to New York (whether it’s the Nets or the Knicks remains to be seen) or will re-up in Golden State. The Clippers, who reportedly still a chance with him, seem like a long shot at this point.

If the Lakers do go the route of signing a max level player and the Clippers don’t manage to land a star, there still likely won’t be any overlap. The Lakers will be after veteran minimum type of players who are chasing rings and looking to win now while in this scenario the Clippers would be trying to find younger players to take fliers on while retaining cap space for the summer of 2020.

Next. Rumor: Clippers Are Still Kawhi's Top Choice. dark

This move may have lasting effects on the league, especially in the Pacific Division, but for the near future that is free agency, AD going to the Lakers doesn’t matter one bit to the Clippers.

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