As the LA Clippers recently came up short in their hunt for a title, the front office will aggressively pursue certain stars on the market. With the health concerns of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George constantly hanging in the air, this is the perfect strategy. Bringing in the best talent available will help the superstar duo and guide LA to where they hope to be.
Furthermore, the LA Clippers need help at the power forward/center position. Particularly on defense, head coach Tyronn Lue needs a big that can pose a force against players like Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, etc.
The starting center, Ivica Zubac, may be an elite rim protector, but he has flaws around the perimeter. Mason Plumlee, the backup, is very similar as he moves a bit slower against some of the league’s best talent. This allows opposing teams to take advantage of the Clippers, especially in the playoffs.
If the LA Clippers could get their hands on a hybrid defensive big, they would quickly run through the Western Conference. This will give Lue and his staff more options while easing the two-way pressure on Leonard. There should be no hesitation when trading for this player, as he could be what the Clippers have been missing.
Not to mention this player is one of the greatest defenders ever, and he has an offensive skill set that does not get enough credit. Assuming he builds chemistry over the offseason, the LA Clippers will be unstoppable next season.
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.
The two division rivals address some of their biggest needs
For the LA Clippers, making a move for Draymond Green would be one of the biggest trades in franchise history. This is primarily due to his status and how great of a defender he is, despite his age.
Furthermore, the LA Clippers have every reason to make this trade happen. A player like Green would improve the team’s scheme on both ends of the floor and provide quality mentorship to players like Bones Hyland and Moussa Diabate. This is crucial for the future as these will be the pieces that will become the face of the franchise.
Another reason LA will accept this trade is to move on from Marcus Morris Sr. and Robert Covington. Both of these veterans are desperate for a fresh start, and there is no better destination than one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history.
In addition, Covington and Morris Sr. still have the ability to help guide the Warriors back to the NBA Finals. They bring quality experience and some of the best three-point shooting the league has to offer.
Conversely, the Warriors may look to move on from Green and the amount of attention he brings off the court. This directly correlates to the drama within the team and his approach to the game. Although his jersey may go up in the rafters, Green’s incident with Jordan Poole was a sign that the Warriors’ season was over before it began. This led to a bumpy start which haunted the team once the postseason rolled around.
However, the LA Clippers can use this as leverage and bargain with their front office for the best offer possible.