The Los Angeles Clippers continue to find themselves in multiple trade rumors in the midst of the NBA season.
The Clippers have played well without Kawhi Leonard, but will it be enough to contend with the rest of the stacked squads in the West?
In order to contend in today’s NBA, you need as many superstars in order to win. The Clippers have James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, but who could the Clippers acquire to help push them to that next level?
De’Aaron Fox
The Sacramento Kings are off to a shaky start this season which is leading to rumors of the Kings sending All-Star De’Aaron Fox to another team to shake things up. The Clippers have the fifth-best odds to trade for Fox, according to Bovada Official.
A potential trade could look like this:
The Sacramento Kings send De’Aaron Fox and Jae Crowder to the Los Angeles Clippers for Norman Powell, P.J. Tucker, Bones Hyland, 2030 First Round Pick, and 2031 Second Round Pick.
De’Aaron Fox would be an incredible fit alongside Kawhi Leonard defensively and give the Clippers a new superstar to contend alongside the Warriors and Mavericks of the league.
Also Read: Latest NBA Trade Rumor Has Los Angeles Clippers Moving 2 Players
Norman Powell would continue to grow as a player alongside Domantas Sabonis in a new-look Kings roster.
The first-round pick would sweeten the deal a little more. Bones Hyland would get another fresh start and get to alternate the guard spot with Keon Ellis. P.J. Tucker would probably be bought out.
Brandon Ingram
There hasn’t been a more disappointing team than the New Orleans Pelicans. They sit in second to last place in the West with only 5 wins on the season.
Brandon Ingram is one of the biggest players rumored to be traded before the deadline. The Clippers have the third-best odds to trade for Ingram according to Bovada Official.
A potential trade could look like this:
The New Orleans Pelicans send Brandon Ingram to the Los Angeles Clippers for Norman Powell, P.J. Tucker, Amir Coffey, and a 2031 Second Round Pick.
Brandon Ingram would be a perfect fit alongside Kawhi and Harden. Ingram would be able to play almost any position out there alongside the rest of the Clippers while Amir and Norman would give the Pelicans more depth to grow around Zion Williamson. I also think P.J. Tucker would probably be bought out in this situation.
Marcus Smart
A Marcus Smart trade is an idea of my own creation. I think that he would be an underrated piece to the Clippers roster that wouldn’t cause the Clippers to give up too many pieces of their team (would keep Norman Powell).
I’m not 100 percent sure that the Grizzlies would be willing to give him up, but they have several young players that would benefit from more playing time.
A potential trade could look like this:
The Memphis Grizzlies send Marcus Smart to the Los Angeles Clippers for Terance Mann, P.J. Tucker, and a 2031 Second Round Pick.
Marcus Smart and Kris Dunn would be one of the best defensive backcourts in basketball while on the court at the same time. Smart fits the gritty identity and matches the scrappy play that the Clippers have this season.
Once again I think P.J. Tucker is destined for the buyout market no matter where he ends up. Terance Mann would be an interesting fit with the Grizzlies and would find a good spot in their rotation while allowing more time for younger players on Memphis to find minutes.
Will Los Angeles Clippers Pursue Any Of These
To be very honest….. I doubt it. But! It’s not impossible! The Clippers could very much blow up the roster just as easily as they could not make any trades at all.
No matter what happens, I truly believe P.J. Tucker will be bought out.