As their regular season ended early, the LA Clippers go into the offseason with many tasks on the board. Outside of retaining Russell Westbrook and moving on from Marcus Morris, the front office must prioritize adding a third star to the lineup. Whether that is a big man or a guard, the Clippers lack a consistent star behind Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Conversely, one team with several adjustments to make is the Minnesota Timberwolves. Although their trade for Rudy Gobert may be seen as a loss, Minnesota proved that they can still compete against the best of the best. Though, the front office may look to build around Anthony Edwards.
Furthermore, this leaves Karl-Anthony Towns’ future hanging in the air. As for the Clippers, Mason Plumlee, the backup center, will enter free agency unrestricted. He will likely receive offers from several contenders.
The Clippers must be on their heels for what they plan to do, and pursuing a talent like Towns is the perfect move. In addition, the Timberwolves are lacking depth at the wing position, and that is one of the strengths of the Clippers’ roster.
The only question surrounding Towns is his health. With Leonard and George constantly battling injuries, the last thing the LA Clippers need is another star who cannot stay on the floor. However, this will be a high-risk-high-reward move as the Clippers are nearing the end of their championship-contending era. It makes perfect sense for both teams to pursue a trade.
KAT to the Clippers for high-quality role players
As of right now, there is no better player for the LA Clippers to target than Karl-Anthony Towns. With his size, strength, and ability to stretch the floor, he will be a perfect fit for franchise stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. This addition will prevent teams from sending double teams, ultimately allowing head coach Tyronn Lue’s game plan to thrive to the fullest extent.
Moreover, assuming Russell Westbrook returns to LA, he will likely benefit the most from this move. Not only will the paint be clear for him to attack, but he will also have an elite three-point shooter on the perimeter ready to knock his shots down.
That said, this trade consists of LA receiving Towns for Eric Gordon, Robert Covington, Brandon Boston Jr., and draft compensation.
Initially, this trade seemed like a major win for the Clippers. But digging deep, Minnesota’s defense has been a weak spot all season. Not to mention Towns’ presence in the paint has held back Rudy Gobert from his true potential. Inserting a defensive-minded player in Covington next to Gobert would be the ideal scenario for what the Timberwolves are working towards.
Secondly, the Timberwolves will receive a knockdown shooter off the bench in Gordon, another area they need to improve in. Not only can Gordon consistently score 15 points on high efficiencies, but he can also make his contributions on the defensive end.
What’s more, Minnesota will find themselves with a promising young talent in Boston Jr. who has been searching for an opportunity his entire career.
What is the biggest reason behind the Clippers making this trade?
The biggest reason the LA Clippers should trade for Karl-Anthony Towns is his ability to shoot three-pointers. While there may be questions about his defense, Towns is exceptionally talented on the offensive end, which makes him a primary trade target for the LA Clippers.
As Ivica Zubac and Mason Plumlee currently occupy the center position, neither of these players can space the floor. Additionally, Towns has an elite paint presence and will be seen as an alley-oop threat for Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook.
This season, Towns averaged 20.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and a career-best 4.8 assists. He brings an offensive skill set at the center position that the Clippers’ franchise has never seen. If he can remain healthy, Towns will be the piece that will push LA as the favorites in the Western Conference.
On top of these phenomenal numbers, Towns shot 36.6% from three this season on nearly six attempts. More importantly, his career average is 39.5% on 4.2 shots. It is also worth noting that Towns has shot above 40% from a distance in four out of eight seasons in the NBA.
If all the Clippers need to trade is Gordon, Covington, Boston Jr., and picks, the front office should accept immediately. There will likely be no better offer, especially one that satisfies what the Clippers are missing. This trade also clears space in the depth chart, which was a major issue for the coaching staff throughout the year. Each player will be able to play their role and make the contributions necessary to compete for a championship.