The Los Angeles Clippers are once again on the clock, needing to make a roster move. Will the Clippers make a trade before the February 5 trade deadline?
Clippers Slated To Make A Couple of Upcoming Roster Moves
Los Angeles has completely turned around its season. A little over a month ago, the Clippers were on pace to win fewer than 20 games for just the ninth time in franchise 56-year history. Now, the Clippers are 10th in the Western Conference at 22-24, having won 16 of their last 19. The Clippers are three games clear of 11th place, though they project to be a Play-In team as they are six games behind sixth-seeded Minnesota.
The Clippers have been entirely different during this 19-game stretch, improving on both ends of the floor. While the Clippers have steadied and offensively enhanced and are currently playing their best on that end in January, they have really ratcheted up their defensive effort. Over the last 19 games, the Clippers rank third in offensive rating (120) and sixth in defensive rating (111.0).
Kawhi Leonard has been the catalyst for the Clippers, averaging 31.1 points on 50.6% shooting from the field. But more importantly, the Clippers have been healthy. Leonard has only missed three games, though Derrick Jones Jr. (knee) has been out since January 4, and Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring) has not played since December 26. However, there is good news about the progress of Jones and Bogdanovic’s injuries.
Both Jones and Bogdanovic were assigned to the Clippers’ G League team in San Diego yesterday. Both players could be available when the Clippers return home next week against Philadelphia on February 2.
Even when Bogdanovic and Jones do return, the Clippers will be shorthanded with Bradley Beal and Chris Paul remaining sidelined. Thus, the Clippers are left with 15 healthy players, including three on two-way contracts, after Patrick Baldwin’s 10-day contract expired.
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What Do The Clippers Need At Trade Deadline?
Los Angeles is a little handicapped in what they can do at the NBA trade deadline. The Clippers, the oldest team in the NBA, are just $1.1 million below being hard-capped at the first apron. The Clippers have stated that Leonard, James Harden, or Ivica Zubac will not be traded before the deadline. However, John Collins is reportedly available, per Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. Paul, Bogdanovic, and perhaps Brook Lopez could also be available. Additionally, their only movable first-rounders are 2030 and 2032.
If they can make a trade, the Clippers are looking to first and foremost upgrade their bench. The Clippers would like to acquire a veteran two-way wing or combo guard. Specifically, the Clippers are looking for a versatile wing who can guard the two-through-four positions and is at least an average 3-point shooter. And, as Turner added, the Clippers would like a combo guard who can create off the pick-and-roll when Harden is on the bench.
Houston’s Dorian Finney-Smith, Denver’s Bruce Brown, and Phoenix’s Royce O’Neale all fit the bill. However, Finney-Smith may be the only one of the trio of players realistically available.
While a trade is not guaranteed, the Clippers will make a few roster moves. The Clippers will either do so at the trade deadline or right after.
Clippers Only Carrying 14 Players On Standard Contracts
With Baldwin’s 10-day contract, the Clippers are carrying 14 players on standard deals. This is problematic for the Clippers due to the NBA’s “under 15” rule.
“The Under-15 counter has started again with the LA Clippers, as Patrick Baldwin Jr’s 10 Day deal expired,” Keith Smith of Sportac said. “That puts LA back to just 14 players on standard contracts. LA has just five games left where both Jordan Miller and Kobe Sanders can be active for the same game.”
The Clippers could re-sign Baldwin to another 10-day deal or someone else to extend the clock. If they don’t, the Clippers won’t have Miller or Sanders available after their February 6th game against Sacramento, both of whom are on two-way deals.
Baldwin played pretty well in the two games that he appeared in with the Clippers. The 23-year-old, who has 95 games of NBA experience, totalled 10 points on 3 of 4 shooting from the field, including 2of 3 from deep, and one rebound in 12 total minutes.
Jordan Miller and Kobe Sanders
Miller and Sanders are both expected to get promoted. The problem is the Clippers won’t have enough room under the salary cap unless a trade is made later in the season, even if Paul is waived. They can sign one of the players immediately, based on their projected prorated salaries. Sanders is eligible to be signed using the NBA’s lower-cost second-round exception.
Miller has only appeared in 25 games and has been active for 26. Therefore, Miller can appear in 25 more games before his two-way eligibility is exhausted. The 26-year-old is having the best season of his young career and has been very efficient, averaging 8.8 points and 3.2 rebounds with shooting splits of 51.7/37.5/81.5. He has recorded one double-double and 11 double-figure scoring games, including two 20-point efforts.
Sanders, who can appear in just 12 more games on a two-way deal, has had his ups and downs this season. But the 23-year-old demonstrated enough consistency in his eight starts and as a 3-point shooter. Overall, he averages 6.8 points and 2.5 boards with shooting splits of 44.5/38.6/84.6. He has scored in double figures 11 times with one 20-point game.