The Los Angeles Clippers currently have the dynamic duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. They have been tasked to lead the team to an NBA Championship. However, they have failed for the last four seasons.
It has led to many wondering if the Clippers need another piece to truly become a championship contender in the Western Conference. Bleacher Report recently suggested a trade between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls featuring DeMar DeRozan.
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: DeMar DeRozan
Chicago Bulls Receive: Norman Powell, Robert Covington, Amir Coffey, And 2028 First-Round Pick (Protected 1-4)
“We’ve spent the better part of two years wringing our hands over the Clippers’ lack of a backcourt playmaker. They’ve long needed one of those to ease the shot-creation load on Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. But who says that job has to go to a conventional point guard?”
B/R added: “DeRozan has averaged over 5.0 assists per game in five of his last six seasons (a streak interrupted by a 4.9-per-game figure in 2021-22), and his ability to pull in help defenders as he gets into his mid-range bag serves the same purpose as a standard pick-and-roll point guard. DeRozan would get highly exploitable matchups with teams using their toughest defenders on George and Leonard, and he could easily operate as a facilitator or overpowering on-on-one scorer.”
But why would the Chicago Bulls agree to the trade? The NBA staff at Bleacher Report explained that as well.
“If Chicago wants to extract some value for DeRozan’s expiring contract before potentially losing him for nothing, this is a solid return. Powell is under contract for two more years after this one and could easily be flipped for another first-rounder, and Covington’s money comes off the books next summer. Coffey and an intriguing 2028 pick that could pay off if the Clips crater in the second half of this decade should be enough to get this done.”
DeMar DeRozan averaged 24.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 5.1 APG in the 2022-23 NBA season. He could be a valuable addition to the duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
DeRozan also played 74 games last season, which makes him one of the sturdier players in the NBA. The Clippers can certainly use a player of that caliber.
DeMar DeRozan Almost Teamed Up With Kawhi Leonard And Paul George In 2021
DeMar DeRozan saved his career after joining the Chicago Bulls in 2021. However, before becoming a member of the Bulls, DeRozan apparently had another offer.
DeRozan almost formed a Big 3 with Leonard and George with the Clippers. The 33-year-old explained in a recent episode of ‘Podcast P.’
“In that moment I was like, ‘hell yeah!’ Let’s figure it out. The business side of it was flawed in its own right but me just looking at it like man, I could do this, play with my dog at home? Let’s try to figure it out.”
If DeRozan had joined the Clippers, he could have helped the organization win an NBA Championship. After all, a healthy Big 3 of DeRozan, Leonard, and George is a scary team.
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