Does this trade make sense for the LA Clippers?
The route that the LA Clippers take this offseason can go many ways. Kawhi Leonard suffered an injury and this severely hindered their progress in the postseason. Because of this, they might decide to keep the band together moving forward. If not, George is the likely candidate to be sent away.
Leonard has said that he will opt out of his contract but that is a business move to re-negotiate. There is no real belief that he will sign with another team. The Clippers need to have a plan if Ben Simmons is brought in. If they view him as a point guard, this could solve their problems at the position.
If not, they will have to look for one, potentially in the NBA Draft. Simmons would not be asked to do too much offensively with Kawhi Leonard present. Tyrese Maxey and George Hill would bring depth in the backcourt to the lineup and this would help come postseason time.
The goal would essentially be to add a few younger pieces to transition away from relying on Leonard’s timeline as the franchise cornerstone. With how much of the Clippers’ future is tied to his impact given the trade package for George, continuing to bank purely on the situation would be unwise.
READ MORE: Predictions for Latest NBA Trade Rumors: Lillard, LaVine, Simmons, Sexton
The Clippers are one of the top teams in the league but are still not a finished product. They could be looking to round out the rotation once the offseason rolls around.
