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4 trades for the LA Clippers to get a center

By Cannon Wonderlich

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 19: Dewayne Dedmon #14 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots the ball against the LA Clippers on November 19, 2018 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 19: Dewayne Dedmon #14 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots the ball against the LA Clippers on November 19, 2018 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images /

Clippers land a two-way monster

Another team that could be looking to move a big man is the Indiana Pacers.

Indiana’s frontcourt impressed many last season, as Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis both took large leaps. Turner  the league’s top shot blockers while Sabonis finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting. This seemed to be the center rotation of the future in Indiana. However, things got more complicated during the 2019 NBA Draft.

The Pacers had the 18th selection in this year’s draft, and they chose foreign big man, Goga Bitadze. The Georgia native was considered by many to be the most skilled center in this year’s draft, and the Pacers lucked into a steal.

This opens the door for them to move one of their pre-existing players.

Turner, Holiday moved in three-team trade

Three team trades are difficult to orchestrate. Each team needs a reason to be involved, and each team gets better with this deal.

The New Orleans Pelicans would be fully embracing the youth movement. Jrue Holiday is aging and will not be around when they are finally ready to contend. Malcolm Brogdon could fill his role. Brogdon plays a similar brand of hard-nosed defense, but he also provides a knock-down jumpshot, as he shot 61.4 percent true shooting last season. His ability to spread the floor would open up room for Zion Williamson to dominate in the paint.

The Indiana Pacers would be acquiring a second All-Star level player to pair with Victor Oladipo. Not only would Holiday and Oladipo be the newest NBA duo, but they could both realistically wind up on the All-Defensive teams. Jerome Robinson and the two second round picks would provide them future insurance in the off-chance this wouldn’t go well for them. (Also of note: This would pair Jrue with his brothers Justin and Aaron. Their chemistry would be through the roof. The Pacers would likely be the first team in NBA history to have three siblings on the same roster.)

The Clippers would be solidifying themselves as the best defensive team in the league. Patrick Beverley, Rodney McGruder, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard could guard positions 1-4, and Myles Turner could lock down the paint, contesting any opponent daring to shoot near him.

Turner was the top shot blocker in the league last season, leading in blocks per game (2.7), total blocks (199), and block percentage (8.4 percent). And it’s not like he’s one of the many one-dimensional and out-dated centers that fall out of the league every year. Turner can hit shots from all over the floor.

Last season, the former Texas Longhorn connected on 68.5 percent of his attempts at the rim, roughly 46.1 percent from 3-16 feet, and 38.8 percent of his chucks from behind the arc — well above the league average, especially for his position.

For a 6’11 human being, it would be nice if he grabbed more than his 7.2 boards per game, but he is young and has plenty of time to perfect his craft.

Regardless of who it is, the LA Clippers need a rim defender. Guys like Myles Turner or Jarrett Allen will cost the most in a trade, but will be worth it in the long run.

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