Currently, the LA Clippers have structured themselves in a tier of ‘great’ Western Conference contenders, but to enter the elite conversation and combat teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves, they must pursue a competent third-option with All-Star credibility.
Right now, the Clippers’ superstar-level options are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant. Both are top-ten players, but Antetokounmpo seems like a far reach with the draft approaching.
Milwaukee may prefer to trade with high-picking teams, and a front office like the Philadelphia 76ers would be ideal to negotiate with, as they hold the third spot in the 2025 NBA Draft. They will likely also have an undeniable return, as Philadelphia dream core has Antetokounmpo next to Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George.
Furthermore, Durant is certainly pursuable by the Clippers, but the Phoenix Suns may look to steal Ivica Zubac from a thriving role in LA. This decision is not worth making as Zubac has a high chance of being an All-Star next season.
Although Durant, being the primary target, may be inaccessible, there are still other potential trade targets Clipper Nation should be excited about this offseason.
3. Kristaps Porziņģis
As the Boston Celtics cannot afford to pay Kristaps Porziņģis for being unavailable, it is an indirect guarantee that he will be forced into his fifth new home since draft day on the New York Knicks.
Porziņģis’ contract has one more fully guaranteed year left, worth $30.7 million, meaning it expires soon and he will be a free agent. This portrays how much he has to prove next season.wh
Moreover, to attain Porziņģis, the only checkbox the Clippers must mark off is matching the contracts. To do so, LA can barter three players: Bogdan Bogdanović, Kobe Brown, and Drew Eubanks.
2. Michael Porter Jr.
Michael Porter Jr. cannot contribute similarly to Kevin Durant, but he brings a similar level of shooting and spacing. This would fit the Clippers, as they are hiring forwards who can aid their subpar three-point statistics, particularly attempts per contest.
Porter Jr. has two more years left on his max-contract, and to grab hold of him, LA must trade Norman Powell, Bogdan Bogdanović, and second-round draft compensation.
Landing Porter Jr. via trade would also ease regret, as the Clippers passed him in the 2018 NBA Draft.
1. Keldon Johnson
As the San Antonio Spurs will most likely draft Dylan Harper to add to Stephon Castle, Jeremy Sochan, and Victor Wembanyama, there will be fewer opportunities for Keldon Johnson to thrive.
As a result, he could be traded, and the cost may not be ridiculously high. Johnson has two years left on his extension, and San Antonio could be content with just receiving Bogdan Bogdanović and second-round picks in return.
Johnson is only 25 and brings high altitudes of athleticism with James Harden as the floor general.