3. Landry Shamet
Landry Shamet comes in at number three. While I see his value as the third highest on the team, I can see him being the number one movable piece, if that makes sense. Here’s the logic.
Shamet is 23 years old, still on his rookie deal, and is a sharpshooter. He has one year left on his deal with the following being a team option. After that, he would enter restricted free agency. With all of those years more or less guaranteed, a team looking to rebuild could add Shamet as a core piece.
Shamet did have a consistent role with the Clippers but it lessened in the playoffs. While his shooting is a perfect fit next to the likes of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, he’s not a 100% must keep player.
2. Ivica Zubac
On probably one of the best contract to production contracts in the league, Ivica Zubac comes in at second on our list. What’s not to like about him?
He’s young (23 years old), only makes $7 million per year, defends and rebounds well, and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective. If Zubac does get traded, expect it to be for a lot more than Mike Muscala this time around.
I don’t see the Clippers moving away from Zu though. Even though he probably could’ve gotten more minutes in the postseason (especially in game seven), he is a key piece. He has extremely great chemistry with Leonard and George and should be held onto as long as possible.
1. Paul George
At the top of the list, we have Paul George. Duh.
He underperformed in the postseason but he is still a top 20 player in the NBA currently. If for whatever reason the Clippers decide to make him available (they won’t), they could still get a ton for him. No, it won’t be anywhere near the haul they gave up to acquire George (and thereby Leonard) but they could definitely recoup some good assets and upgrade several role players while sacrificing PG’s star ability.
George is a free agent in 2021 so that also does hamper his trade value. If reports about him and other teammates not getting along is true though, George might be inclined to being traded should things even escalate to that point.
I don’t see a trade happening around Paul George but if the team decides that everyone but Leonard is available, he still is going to bring back the most value.