The Los Angeles Clippers are a team that may have to make some additions to the roster if they don’t win the NBA championship this season. Even if they do win it all, it could be good to accumulate more star power on the roster to heighten their chances of winning once again.
There are a variety of players that the Los Angeles Clippers could acquire either through upcoming free agency or via trade. Here are some potential names that would be a good fit on their roster.
5. Spencer Dinwiddie
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Spencer Dinwiddie (sign and trade)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Marcus Morris, a future second-round pick
Spencer Dinwiddie is a combo guard who can play at either backcourt position, and do a variety of things on the court. Dinwiddie is a great scorer, while also playing outstanding perimeter defense. He averaged 20.6 PPG during the 2019-20 season, and if he comes back from injury well, then he could be a great acquisition for the Clippers during the offseason.
The Los Angeles Clippers don’t have the cap space to sign Dinwiddie outright this free agency. They could, however, acquire him via a sign-and-trade. The Brooklyn Nets would likely prefer not to lose Dinwiddie for nothing if he does leave. Acquiring Marcus Morris and a future second-round pick could allow them to help Dinwiddie get to a spot where he’d have more playing time, while also acquiring a solid role player and draft compensation in return.
4. Malcolm Brogdon
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Malcolm Brogdon
Indiana Pacers Receive: Marcus Morris, Patrick Beverley, Terance Mann, two future second-round picks
Malcolm Brogdon is a great two-way guard who averages 21.2 PPG and 5.9 APG, while also shooting 38.8% from beyond the arc. He is also a great defender who can switch onto wing players if need be. Malcolm Brogdon is a player that could fit on any squad, as he has a great off-ball game. On the Clippers, he’d likely be the third scoring option behind Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
The Indiana Pacers would have to send out salary filler in this deal to make it work. They’re not contending for a championship, and it could be time to trade away some of their core. Marcus Morris and Patrick Beverley are two solid veterans that will have trade value down the line. Terance Mann is a young prospect who is a good shooter, averaging 41.2% from beyond the arc. The second-round picks will help the Pacers build for the future. This package is fairly solid for a player of Brogdon’s caliber.
3. Kyle Lowry
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Kyle Lowry (sign and trade)
Toronto Raptors Receive: Patrick Beverley, Ivica Zubac, Terance Mann, a future second-round pick
Kyle Lowry is one of the most overlooked point guards in the league. Lowry is a great facilitator for his teammates and has an underrated range from deep. Lowry can be a solid third scoring option for a championship-caliber team like the Los Angeles Clippers. He has previously won a championship with Kawhi Leonard, so perhaps the two could reunite in Los Angeles.
The Raptors would likely accommodate a sign and trade for Kyle Lowry as he is a franchise legend. In this scenario, Patrick Beverley is the salary piece, and he fits nicely with the Raptors’ defensive system. Ivica Zubac would give the Raptors a starting-level center, something they have missed for most of the season. Terance Mann could potentially develop in Toronto, and the pick is just a sweetener for the deal to go through. This is a solid haul for Toronto considering it comes from a sign and trade, and moving to Los Angeles could be appealing for Lowry himself.
2. CJ McCollum
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: CJ McCollum
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Marcus Morris, Luke Kennard, Ivica Zubac, Daniel Oturu, a future second-round pick
The Portland Trail Blazers roster is aging, and perhaps it could be time for them to start a rebuild. In that eventuality, it seems as though CJ McCollum would be one of the pieces that could get moved. The Los Angeles Clippers would benefit from McCollum’s diverse game. While he is known for being a shoot-first guard, McCollum has flashed some playmaking talent over the years with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Trading for CJ McCollum would require the Los Angeles Clippers to send out a fairly big package. Marcus Morris is here for salary purposes, but he is a veteran with a good reputation who could be a trade chip later on. Luke Kennard and Ivica Zubac are both younger prospects who can be part of the rebuild. Daniel Oturu is a center who could potentially develop into a backup, and the future pick could help them select a productive player in the future. This is a solid deal for the Trail Blazers, especially if they decide to rebuild this offseason.
1. Kemba Walker
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Kemba Walker
Boston Celtics Receive: Patrick Beverley, Marcus Morris, Ivica Zubac, Terance Mann, two future second-round picks
Kemba Walker has been a player that has been inconsistent this season, partially due to returning from an injury. The Boston Celtics are focusing on potentially competing in the future with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Trading Kemba Walker could give the Celtics a better opportunity in the future, while trading for Walker would give the Clippers a great point guard who can also be the third scoring option. Walker would be a decent win-now move for the Celtics.
The Boston Celtics would receive some solid veterans and some young pieces in return. Patrick Beverley and Marcus Morris are both veterans with playoffs experience and could help the Boston Celtics with their defense. Ivica Zubac would be the starting center of the future, while Terance Mann could potentially develop into a great shooter off the bench. The second-round picks would just be a bonus, and this would be a solid deal overall for the Boston Celtics.
