According to what an NBA executive told The Athletic’s Ben Standig and Mike Vorkunov, we can expect major changes for the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason.
“The Clippers are going to break this up whether you like it or not. I heard from the inside source they’re all going to break this up. They are going to break this up.”
Just weeks removed from a disappointing finish in the 2020 playoffs, the Clippers are in a state of flux as they attempt to fix a broken, underachieving roster. While it remains to be seen which players will be moving on, it seems reasonable to assume nobody is safe from the trade axe — so long as it’s for the right offer.
In an article by Chase Hughes of NBC Sports, he suggested a trade that would bring the Clips young Philly star Ben Simmons for the price of their tw0-way wing, Paul George, and young swingman Landry Shamet.
“It is fair to question whether Philly would do this deal, as Simmons is six years younger than George. But the Sixers would also get back Shamet, whom they traded to L.A. for Tobias Harris. He’s a solid young two-guard who has the potential to be one of the league’s best shooters. And George could play well off of Joel Embiid, potentially giving them a better shot at chasing a title in the next two-to-three years than they would have with Simmons.”
Together, George and Embiid would form a powerful one-two punch with perimeter shooting and defense from PG and inside domination from JoJo, who would finally have the room to operate on the interior.
Of course, the Clippers get an exceptional ball-handler and playmaker in Simmons. Without the added pressure to shoot from distance, he could play in his range and feel comfortable with his game.
Aa risky move, for sure, but one that could greatly benefit both parties if they feel a breakup of their current star partners is necessary.
