In order to address their need for a playmaker, here are three trades the LA Clippers could make.
The LA Clippers have some changes to make this offseason. With the firing of Doc Rivers and hiring of Ty Lue, those changes are underway. Other issues plaguing the team include a need for both a bigger backup center and a playmaker.
The latter apparently is of bigger concern, given Kawhi Leonard is adamant that the team find someone to fill that role. There’s one issue. The free agency market isn’t exactly teeming with point guards or even potential playmakers. The biggest name available on the free agency market that would fill that role is Fred VanVleet but he will likely either re-sign with the Toronto Raptors or join another team for a big payday, something the Clippers cannot offer.
Outside of him, the options available as free agents include Rajon Rondo, Goran Dragic, D.J. Augustin, Kris Dunn, Jeff Teague, and a few others. The first two are likely to re-sign with their current organizations after both made the Finals and the latter three don’t exactly move the needle. That leaves the team likely to turn towards the trade market to address the issue.
With not many trade assets, the Clippers aren’t going to blow anyone’s socks off with their offers. The team might not even find a starting point guard to take the role from Patrick Beverley, but instead, a backup who can play spot minutes providing playmaking. Honestly, most of these potential trades won’t wow fans. The Clips have to work with what they have. Still, in order to improve something probably has to be done.
With that all in mind, let’s look at three potential trades the LA Clippers should explore in order to address their playmaking need.