Following a win in the season-opener, the LA Clippers are off to the best start possible. Although franchise superstar Kawhi Leonard may require time to adjust, the load will be carried by his co-star, Paul George, along with the rest of the roster. Fortunately for Leonard, he can take as much time as he needs, as head coach Tyronn Lue can manage without his best player.
Furthermore, the LA Clippers’ front office should not be looking to make any trades unless it can significantly help the team in the long run. The roster is nearly perfect, as the depth at each position will give the Clippers an advantage during the playoffs.
In addition, the future for the Clippers is extremely bright. The former second-round draft picks Jason Preston, Brandon Boston Jr, and Terance Mann will be the foundation for the years ahead. The front office also did their homework on the rookie big man, Moussa Diabate, as the sky is the limit regarding his potential.
Moreover, Bleacher Report recently released three trades that involve the LA Clippers. Not only are these trades irrational, but they do not benefit the team at all. Currently, Lue and his squad fit the criteria for a championship-winning franchise. Making a trade that would risk the Clippers’ title hopes is unreasonable.
3. The LA Clippers’ sharpshooter, Luke Kennard, is not up for trade.
It was not too long ago when the LA Clippers were the best three-point shooting team in the history of the NBA. Outside of Leonard and George, players like Luke Kennard and Marcus Morris were the primary reason the team’s three-point shooting was outstanding.
A small list of players can shoot the rock as efficiently as Kennard. He can play off the dribble, catch-and-shoot, and even in the mid-range. Additionally, once he gets on a roll, opposing teams lose track of how to stop the LA Clippers.
In this trade package, Bleacher Report has the LA Clippers trading away Kennard and Preston to the Detroit Pistons for two solid role players in Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel. Adding Burks to the current roster gives the Clippers nothing more than what they already have.
The reasoning behind adding Noel is that the Clippers have no firm backup center behind Ivica Zubac. While this may be true, Lue often plays small ball. Having a player like Noel off the bench would instantly put this scheme to rest.
This proposal also gives a young talent like Preston away for no pieces that would benefit the Clippers down the road. It makes no sense to make this trade, as the LA Clippers would only be getting worse.