Grade the Trade: Clippers trade for one of the best defenders of all time

The LA Clippers acquire Draymond Green from the Golden State Warriors

Assuming Draymond Green accepts his player option, the LA Clippers should look to make a trade while retaining most of their players. This could be the most significant off-season move, as his defensive upside would be pivotal for head coach Tyronn Lue.

Although he may not be able to space the floor, Green’s playmaking separates him from most big men around the league. In fact, the Michigan State product averages a career of 5.6 assists in almost 760 games played. This would give Lue another reason to keep him in the game for as long as possible.

That said, this trade has the Clippers receiving Green for Robert Covington, Marcus Morris Sr., and draft compensation. This gives the two veterans a fresh start while Green gets the opportunity to play in one of the best cities across the NBA.

Having Green next to Kawhi Leonard in the starting lineup would also force opponents to shift their game plan in another direction. These two can match up with any position on the perimeter, making mismatches much harder to find. If that wasn’t enough, LA would also have Paul George in the rotation to destroy any offensive scheme across the league.

Another benefit to this trade would be the small-ball lineup, one of Lue’s favorite approaches in clutch situations. This is arguably the biggest advantage to this package, as Green has the size to play the center position. Offensively, Lue could use players like George, Leonard, and even Norman Powell without worrying about rebounding, as the four-time champion could hold his ground in the paint.