We suggest one trade the LA Clippers could make with the San Antonio Spurs.
We conclude another week of suggested trades for the LA Clippers and wrap up the Southwest Division (and Western Conference) with the San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs are currently in 12th place in the Western Conference with a record of 27-36. Without a miracle run once play returns in Orlando they will miss the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 1996-97 season.
San Antonio is a team in need of a new identity. The veteran players are aging into role players and are no longer capable of carrying a team by themselves. Their young talent isn’t quite ready to take the torch and run with it to keep the legacy going as did David Robinson to Tim Duncan to Kawhi Leonard. They are a team in need of a rebuild.
That would start by parting ways with their expensive, veteran players. Mainly LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMar DeRozan, and Rudy Gay. Our suggested trade today hopes to land the Clippers a very big piece for their present championship run.
Why we suggest this trade for the LA Clippers:
The six-foot-eleven, 260-pound Aldridge would give the Clippers a formidable interior presence on both ends of the floor. He can play both center and power forward and would fit in nicely in any of the Clippers’ potential lineups. He’d be able to play alongside Ivica Zubac or Montrezl Harrell and help space the floor with his quality mid-range jump shot or play as the center surrounded by a smaller lineup.
The one obvious wrinkle to this trade as far as the Clippers would be concerned is his health. Aldridge missed six games before the league shut down and most likely will not return to action when play resumes. This is obviously, only a trade we’d suggest for the Clippers given the chance to acquire a healthy Aldridge.
Would the Spurs do it?
Marcus Morris is once again used in one of our suggested trades for his expiring contract. Patrick Beverley would help provide the Spurs with guard depth as well as being a role model for their young guards Dejounte Murray and Lonnie Walker. The trio, plus veteran Patty Mills would provide the Spurs with a reputation as having some of the best backcourt defenders in the league.
This move would obviously signal the start of a complete rebuild for the Spurs, something the NBA has not seen in quite some time. The team has been competitive and consistent since acquiring David Robinson in 1990, an incredible run for an organization in a time of quick and rapid turnover. A rebuilding Spurs would be something new for all fans of the NBA. We’re not quite sure that’s what head coach Gregg Popovich would prefer heading into his 25th season at the helm of the team.
Read the rest of our “One Trade with every Team” series here:
Pacific Division: Lakers, Warriors, Kings, Suns
Northwest Division: Nuggets, Jazz, Thunder, Blazers, Timberwolves
Southwest Division: Rockets, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Spurs
Atlantic Division: Raptors, Celtics, 76ers, Nets, Knicks
Central Division: Bucks, Pacers, Bulls, Pistons, Cavaliers
Southeast Division: Heat, Magic, Wizards, Hornets, Hawks