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LA Clippers: Best and Worst Transactions of the last 10 years

By Nathan Jacobo

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 19: A view of the court at Staples Center during the game between the LA Clippers and the Houston Rockets on December 19, 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 - DECEMBER 19: A view of the court at Staples Center during the game between the LA Clippers and the Houston Rockets on December 19, 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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LA Clippers Eric Bledsoe
LA Clippers Eric Bledsoe (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

2010-2011

Best Move: Trading for Eric Bledsoe

Bledsoe was selected with the 18th-overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was then traded to the LA Clippers for their 2012 1st-Rd Pick (which ended up being Fab Melo).

Bledsoe was overshadowed by his running mate at the University of Kentucky in point guard John Wall. Other notable players on that team included DeMarcus Cousins and current Clipper Patrick Patterson.

Many knew about Bledsoe’s quickness and athleticism but they wondered whether his 6’1 frame would be enough to handle the NBA.

LeBron James called Bledsoe, “mini-Bron”, praising the young guard for his leaping ability and explosiveness when attacking the rim.

He proved that he was very capable of playing at a high-level in the league. Eric and Blake Griffin put on a show for fans in their rookie seasons with their dunks and lobs.

Bledsoe was selected to participate in the Rookie/Sophomore game that year in Staples Center along with Griffin. He was also selected to NBA-All Rookie Second Team that season.

Eric is currently starting for the NBA’s best team in the Milwaukee Bucks, still showing flashes of what got him into the league.

Honorable Mentions for Best Move

Foye was a solid bench addition to the Clippers as he added more shooting and play-making to the team. Here is a quick trivia question: Who assisted Blake Griffin on his first NBA basket?

The answer would be Randy Foye. In the first game of the 2010-11 season, Foye lobbed it up to BG who slammed it home.

Foye was solid in his two seasons with the Clippers and ended up even starting many games due to injuries suffered by Eric Gordon.

Worst Move: Picking Al-Farouq Aminu

In 2010, the Clippers front-office knew they needed to add a young wing to pair alongside Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin, and Chris Kaman.

With the 8th pick in the draft, the Clippers shocked fans and analysts by selecting Al-Farouq Aminu out of Wake Forest.

The next two picks would also be small forwards and household names in the league today. Yes, the Clippers passed on Gordon Hayward (now with the Celtics) and now current Clipper Paul George.

Aminu only played one season with the LA Clippers (don’t worry, I will get back to him soon).

Could you imagine a young Paul George and young Blake Griffin duo in LA? That would have been something.

This worst move can be slotted under 1A because this next honorable mention is a legit 1B.

Honorable Mentions for Worst Move

  • Trading away the 2011 1st-Round Pick

At the trade deadline in the 2010-11 season, the Clippers sent guard Baron Davis and their 2011 1st-Rd Pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon.

Williams was a solid point guard who was previously an All-Star with the Cavs. Moon was known for his dunking and playing with the Harlem Globetrotters before making it into the NBA which is a cool story.

Trading Baron Davis and the rest of his $30 million contract made sense financially. The Clippers also sensed their pick would be outside the top-5, maybe top-10.

Once the draft lottery came, the Clippers pick that they traded to the Cavs ended up becoming the No.1 overall pick in the draft.

In the draft, the Cavs selected guard Kyrie Irving out of Duke. We all know what Irving did in his time in Cleveland and even though he is dealing with injuries here and there, he is still one of the best ball-handlers, shot-makers, and ankle-breakers in the league.

You thought a duo of Paul George and Blake Griffin would be amazing? Picture a trio of Kyrie, PG, and Blake now, crazy right?

That team would have running up and down the court easily but this would have also most likely meant that Chris Paul ends up being a member of the Lakers after all.