It is an exciting time to be an LA Clippers fan. After a summer where most outsiders determined the team was poised to take a step back, the Clippers have been outdoing expectations in a big way, winning behind some surprise contributions and with strong defense.
When no expected it, the Clippers have put themselves right back in the mix to be a playoff team at season's end. In fact, it is looking like they could get there even without their best player coming back in Kawhi Leonard. Fortunately, number two appears to be on his way back to returning as well.
In the meantime, Tyronn Lue and the front office have no doubt been working together to continue evaluating this team's roster. With a solid grasp on what this team excels at and where they can still improve, management is probably getting a better idea of what if any moves they will make at the trade deadline in a little over two months.
With the February 6 deadline getting closer, a new report tells us where specifically LA has been looking for help. According to league insider Michael Scotto, the Clippers are among several teams that have been monitoring Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe.
The Clippers are monitoring Day'Ron Sharpe
In an article released on Monday, Scotto dives into evaluating every team's top trade candidate based on the information currently available. In discussing the Nets and their potential trade pieces, Michael mentions that Sharpe has been drawing interest from multiple squads looking to upgrade at center. Scotto writes:
Teams gauging the trade market for a backup center are monitoring Day’Ron Sharpe, who’s expected to return soon from a hamstring injury for the Nets. With Noah Clowney out for at least a couple of weeks with a sprained ankle, it’s an opportunity for the 23-year-old Sharpe to jump back into the rotation immediately. Sharpe, who’s eligible for restricted free agency this summer, is being monitored by the Grizzlies, Clippers, Pelicans, Lakers, and Raptors, league sources told HoopsHype.
This makes a lot of sense for a team like the Clippers. Ivica Zubac has of course been rock solid once again as the team's starter, but their options off the bench are a bit less experienced than in years past. Mason Plumlee and Daniel Theis were tenured backups for LA last season, but now they are having to rely on younger guys like Kai Jones and Mo Bamba to hold down the frontcourt.
As Scotto mentions, Sharpe is coming off an injury, so the Clippers would want to be careful about dealing for a player with some question marks surrounding his return to action. But if they can get him for a bargain, Sharpe would be a great low-risk, high reward option.