The Los Angeles Clippers (5-15) are greatly struggling this season.
The Clippers had high expectations entering the year because of the additions of John Collins, Brook Lopez, Chris Paul, and more, but none have panned out. Guard James Harden is essentially carrying the team with averages of 27.7 points, 8.7 assists, and 5.9 rebounds.
If Los Angeles still wants to make a playoff push, major changes will be necessary.
Clippers Predicted To Trade for DeMar DeRozan
The Sacramento Kings are in one of the NBA’s most awkward positions, as their roster is full of veteran talent unable to coexist.
The core of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Russell Westbrook, and Domantas Sabonis clearly isn’t working out, and it’s time for the Kings to kickstart a rebuild. Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus predicts that could start with the following three-team trade between the Kings, Clippers, and Brooklyn Nets:
Clippers receive: DeMar DeRozan (from Kings), Keon Ellis (from Kings), Jalen Wilson (from Nets), $8.75 million trade exception (Brook Lopez)
Kings receive: Michael Porter Jr. (from Nets), Kobe Brown (from Clippers), $2.3 million trade exception (Keon Ellis)
Nets receive: Dennis Schröder (from Kings), Brook Lopez (from Clippers), Bogdan Bogdanović (from Clippers), Yanic Konan Niederhauser (from Clippers), 2030 protected first-round pick (from Clippers)
The Clippers’ goal with this deal is obvious, which is to continue competing with a veteran core. The odds of DeRozan pushing L.A. back into contention at age 36 are slim, but it’s a step up from the disappointing lineup being rolled out now.
For Sacramento, this move won’t change much. While Porter Jr. is having a career year in Brooklyn, averaging 24.3 points, he won’t solve the plethora of problems the Kings’ roster currently has. Not to mention, he has two seasons remaining on his lucrative five-year, $197 million contract.
Instead, the front office needs to do everything possible to receive draft capital or young talent in return for DeRozan.
The Nets’ motivation to accept this trade is the first-round pick from the Clippers, as Brooklyn is in the midst of a rebuild.
While DeRozan to the Clippers would certainly make headlines, no team involved walks away from this deal substantially improved.