LA Clippers Rumors: Team has interest in Robert Covington
The LA Clippers are one of several teams reportedly interested in forward Robert Covington of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
It seems that the LA Clippers have another player of interest prior to the trade deadline. According to Ben Cohen of The Wall Street Journal, the Clippers have expressed interest in Minnesota Timberwolves’ forward Robert Covington.
The Clippers are just one of several potential contenders including the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and Philadelphia 76ers who have inquired about his availability.
Covington is the perfect three-and-D player. He stands 6’7″, can play both forward spots, has a career three-point percentage of 35.9% and was an NBA First Team All-Defensive member in 2017-18. For the season, Covington is putting up 12.7 points on 43.4% shooting, 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game.
He’s also signed long-term, making around a reasonable $12 million per year through 2022. It makes sense that so many teams with championship aspirations would have an interest.
For the Clippers, matching Covington’s salary is pretty straight forward. A one for one swap of Maurice Harkless for Covington works salary-wise, but a deal would obviously require that the Clippers give up more. The Clippers are able to trade their 2020 first-round pick which could be enticing to Minnesota as they look to build around their young core.
The Clippers could also toss in someone like Jerome Robinson to sweeten the pot. Robinson, while inconsistent this season, is still young and maybe worth a look for a rebuilding Timberwolves’ franchise.
Covington would provide better spacing then Moe Harkless currently does and his ability to switch paired with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George would still keep the Clippers as one of the more scary looking defensive units.
Clippers made an exploratory call about Derrick Rose. dark. Next
Covington’s price is the real question. While the above offer isn’t a bad one, it’s tough to say how much his price will be driven up due to multiple suitors. The Clippers are strapped for assets, so anything more will keep them out of the hunt. Rumors will continually swirl as we get closer to the trade deadline on February 6. Make sure to follow us on Twitter and to check back here frequently as we near that point.