The LA Clippers entered the season with title expectations. That came in large part due to the return of their two stars, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The other major reason the Clippers were handed lofty expectations was their depth, with two and three quality options at every spot in the rotation.
Leonard and George have missed plenty of time this year, contributing to their mediocre 14-13 record, but that’s not highlighting a weakness in the rotation. If those two aren’t healthy in the playoffs, the Clippers aren’t going anywhere anyway. Instead, the team has to evaluate the rest of the roster and determine whether they need to improve how the team will look alongside those two stars.
The wings behind George and Leonard haven’t been perfect but have played well, especially Norman Powell’s scoring, Luke Kennard’s shooting, and Terance Mann’s energy. Ivica Zubac has been a monster defensively and on the glass at center, and there is a solid collection of small-ball options behind him. The point guard position? That’s another story.
These targets could help with the LA Clippers’ inconsistency at point guard
Reggie Jackson has started all 27 games for the Clippers this season and is averaging just 12.7 points per game and shooting a middling 35.7 percent from 3-point range and an ice-cold 40.9 percent from the field overall. John Wall has come off the bench in 21 games, pulling down his dynamic playmaking with a frigid 29 percent from deep. Neither has screamed playoff closer, making point guard an obvious position to look for an upgrade on the trade market.
Let’s look at three candidates who could be available on the trade market that could help the Clippers one way or the other at the position.
LA Clippers trade target No. 1: D’Angelo Russell
If the Clippers want to emphasize finding another ball-handler to pair with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, D’Angelo Russell would represent a major swing available to them. The Minnesota Timberwolves point guard is a supercharged version of what Jackson is providing and could be a boost both this season and for offseason transactions.
First, Russell would give this team a player to lean on when one of George or Leonard is missing. Russell is a former All-Star who clearly hasn’t maintained that level of impact, but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad player. He’s a gifted offensive creator and a pinpoint passer, and while he is shooting just 34.6 percent from deep, he is hitting a very strong 55.6 percent of his 2-point field goals.
Advanced metrics speak positively of his offensive game on a holistic level. His Offensive BPM (Box Plus-Minus) is +1.2, and his Offensive EPM (Estimated Plus-Minus) is +1.5. Those are far from elite numbers, but on a team loaded with strong defenders on the wing, Russell would be able to provide something real on offense.
The other benefit to trading for someone like Russell is the possibility of a sign-and-trade this summer if the two sides decide not to re-up together. He will likely command a fairly large salary as he hits free agency this summer, and that could be an avenue for a sign-and-trade bringing back a player for the Clippers. For a team willing to spend and always peering into the transaction game’s clouded future, it’s something to consider.
LA Clippers trade target No. 2: Mike Conley
If adding Russell is an attempt to improve now and moving forward, trading for a player like Mike Conley is a way to push the chips in for this season. The former Memphis and current Utah Jazz point guard is 35 years old — hardly a spring chicken — especially as a small point guard.
That being said, he’s also having an excellent season for the plucky Jazz. He has been the glue that has held the Jazz offense together, directing the orchestra of talented offensive shooters and cutters. He is averaging a career-high 7.8 assists, showing off a side of his game that hasn’t been much used over the years.
He is also a much better shooter than John Wall or Reggie Jackson, hitting 38.9 percent of his 3-pointers after hitting better than 40 percent each of the past two seasons. His shot is easy for Conley to get off and he has developed an off-the-dribble pull-up shot alongside a spot-up jumper that will play well alongside Kawhi and PG.
Defensively, Conley is not where he used to be on the Grit N’ Grind Grizzlies, but he is still incredibly intelligent and generates a good amount of steals. EPM has him as a positive on both ends of the court, and his assist percentage in particular is in the 97th percentile league-wide. If the Jazz are selling, the Clippers should strongly consider buying.
LA Clippers trade target No. 3: Immanuel Quickley
If the Clippers want to swing in the other direction, injecting some youth into their rotation to help extend the life of their supporting cast, then a name to call about is Immanuel Quickley. The third-year guard for the New York Knicks has the makeup of a player who would thrive alongside other ball-dominant stars.
His role has been yanked around with the Knicks, but when he is given significant run, he has stepped up to the plate and shown off the skillset that has made him something of a fan favorite in the Big Apple and a player the team has been reluctant to trade. Things are starting to change in the Knicks’ front office, perhaps as they start to hear the music, and reports are that they are willing to listen on trades for Quickley.
Quickley is the best defender of all of the options discussed, the point guards on the Clippers now, and the previous two trade options. He is long and active, with fast hands for steals and the length to disrupt passing lanes and take on wings. He’s a perfect fit, in other words, for a switch-heavy scheme like what the Clippers run.
On offense, he has excellent shooting form and is an 88 percent free-throw shooter for his career, which suggests his 35.9 percent from deep will go up. He isn’t a classic pick-and-roll point guard but he can move the ball and puts pressure on the rim in transition. He won’t lead an offense to great heights, but he could fit in around other stars extremely well.
None of these three point guards are perfect solutions, but all of them bring something interesting to the table as potential trade options for the Clippers. For a team that is focused on building the right supporting cast around their two stars, these are the conversations the Clips need to have as they keep their sight focused on the highest prize.
Will the LA Clippers ever live up to their true potential?
With how this season has panned out, concerns are beginning to surround the LA Clippers as some of their best players face health issues.