3 Free agents Clippers should round out roster with after Harden trade
By Tyler Watts
The LA Clippers made a blockbuster trade for James Harden. There was plenty of chatter for months, but the 76ers held firm in their request for a second first-round pick. They finally got it on Oct. 30, which allowed the trade to come together (subscription required).
P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev joined Harden in coming to Los Angeles, but the Clippers sent Robert Covington, Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris, and Kenyon Martin Jr. to Philadelphia. LA gave up one first, two first-round pick swaps, and two second-rounders in this trade that boosted their championship odds.
The deal opened up a roster spot, but who can the Clippers add? There are multiple veterans available who have been impactful role players in the past, and here are the three best options for LA.
3. T.J. Warren
The Clippers suddenly need some size and forward depth after trading four of them to Philadelphia. LA could will start small with Russell Westbrook or Terance Mann next to James Harden in the backcourt with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George at the forward spots. That would leave Norman Powell, P.J. Tucker, and Mason Plumlee to make up the bench unit.
It is a strong top nine for LA when healthy, but they lack trusted options from there.
Warren is a 6’8 forward with a lengthy injury history. He has played in just 46 games over the last three seasons combined because of foot issues, but the 30-year-old may have something left in the tank. He jumped into the Suns playoff rotation in Game 3 of their second-round series against the Nuggets in 2023. His production does not leap off the screen, but he is a solid 15th man with upside if healthy.
Warren was a bucket early in his career before the foot problems. He struggles on defense and is not a 30-minute-per-game option, but the LA Clippers need depth. T.J. Warren could eat minutes when the team is dealing with injuries.