The popular belief, at the moment, is that on the LA Clippers, the only player that’s truly untouchable in trade offers is Darius Garland. Why? At the young age of 26, Garland is a two-time All-Star who has basically just arrived at the Clippers and has shown serious potential, particularly when needed most.
Therefore, it’s understandable why the organization would want him gone. He looks extremely promising, and it feels like he can still get better, which is crazy to realize. However, in reality, no one, Garland included, should be considered off the table this summer, as there is too much star talent in the NBA; the Clippers would be holding themselves back.
In fact, the only players across the league that should be in that category are the elite of the elite, such as Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, and a few others.
Draft picks are the only assets LA should deem untouchable
On the trade market, every player on the LA Clippers must be listed as available. It might be harder to pry away some more than others, but that doesn’t change the fact that, for the right price, anyone is up for grabs.
To a certain degree, the players may feel the same way. And, in all honesty, how could they not? The Clippers lost in such an embarrassing fashion in the Play-In Tournament to the Golden State Warriors, and began the season at 6-21, which are two prominent signs that changes were coming soon, especially if the draft lottery panned out in their favor.
On that note, the only assets in the Clippers’ possession that need to be labeled as off-limits are the upcoming fifth overall pick and the 2029 Indiana Pacers’ unprotected first-round pick (subject to change depending on where it lands).
These have a high chance of bringing the Clippers' young building blocks that can alter the franchise's trajectory and, one day, help the team get to the promised land.
That said, if a contender wants Darius Garland, Kawhi Leonard, Derrick Jones Jr., or a combination of others, they can have them.
The only requirement they are required to meet is to pay with young assets and picks, and just like that, these guys could be are all theirs.
If the Clippers carry themselves with any other mentality, such as refraining from trading a player like Garland for a haul, they will face a ton of regret in the future.
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