This time around, during the offseason, trade value on those who were dealt at the deadline becomes a hot topic of discussion. The ultimate goal is to win, but oftentimes, one side realizes the mistake they made. Sometimes, teams tend to overpay to get out of tricky financial situations, leading to a downward spiral.
Initially, the LA Clippers were in a predicament when they paid Terance Mann. At one point, he was an elite role player, and team executives knew there was no other player like Mann on the market who could be acquired to replicate his overall impact. Hence, the former second-round pick signed a three-year, $47 million extension.
Surprisingly enough, the Clippers and their fans felt like they secured Mann on a bargained deal. His contributions for slightly over $15 million per year had ridiculous value, as the front could still make other pursuits while their 2021-savior was locked in.
Moreover, the term 'bad contract' is often used for guys on long-term, expensive deals. Some names that ring a bell are Tobias Harris(five-year, $180 million in 2019), Gordon Hayward (four-year, $120 million in 2020), and Chandler Parsons(four-year, $94.8 million in 2016).
However, after grasping a sufficient sample size, Clipper Nation concluded that the front office extended Mann before his true colors came out. This raised anxiety levels within, but Lawrence Frank put forward a quick, easy solution and shipped him to the Atlanta Hawks.
This move was highly beneficial, money-wise, for the future and one that will help the Clippers prosper this summer.
By trading Terance Mann to the Atlanta Hawks, the LA Clippers received a boost in flexibility and value
Bogdan Bogdanović is basically on what is considered an 'expiring contract,' as the LA Clippers' front office can decline his team option next summer and make him an unrestricted free agent. Considering Mann's extension officially begins next season, this was the first and most significant advantage of trading for Bogdanović.
Bogdanović also outplayed Mann down the stretch and had some solid playoff moments, which ultimately increased his value on the market. If LA decides to move on, they will certainly attain a higher return-on-investment.
That said, extending Mann was poorly timed, but in the end, the Clippers landed the better player, room to stretch their hands and feet financially, and several second-round picks. This sounds like an ending in which LA lived happily ever after.