This is a pretty underrated take. They will want to restock because no ring is a guarantee in the West.
Clippers have shown they have no loyalty when it comes to trades. They signed Blake Griffin to a huge contract and said he'd be the greatest Clipper of all time and then shipped him out for Tobias Harris. Then they built up Harris as a potential All Star and traded HIM even though they were playing well.
Sure. None of that means they would look to trade Harrell now. The Clippers are keeping their team together because they are a contender right now. Not because they are loyal. They will do a trade if it helped them win a title this season.
It actually means the exact opposite, in my opinion. They traded all those picks to win a title. Trading their best big to replenish picks would be idiotic if a championship was still the goal (it is).
Yeah, I dont think they trade Harrell for draft picks. The goal for them is to win a championship this year, not stock up on future assets.
You missed the "if." You listed the reason why they're probably not trading Harrell. I said if they trade him, it's going to be to replenish picks. They had to give up the picks to get the two players they coveted. They don't have to win it this year to make that gamble worthwhile, they just need to be close enough to convince them to stay while pieces are added around them.
This still doesn't make sense. Trading Harrell to replenish picks would literally cost them a chance at a title this year. Why sacrifice a legit chance to maybe do something in future years?
Can you conceive of a circumstance in which the Clippers trade Harrell and still expect to compete for a title?
Yes, I already mentioned that in this thread. They'd have to either trade him for a better player or at worse a comparable player that they wouldn't lose this off season. Maybe something like Harkless and Harrell for Myles Turner but even that isn't really an upgrade. That's why I think they'll just take their chances. Plus Steve Ballmer doesn't seem like he would care about paying the tax if they're contending.
Harkless and Harrell for Draymond Green. Green can't be traded til february. I don't think either team does that tho.
The other idea I had that would maybe, be a better player if they want someone who has years on the contract is Bogdanovic (Utah) for Harrell and Harkless. Again not sure either team does that either though.
Both Bogdanovic and Green aren't centers though and trading Harrell for a PF really weakens them not being able to play big.
Green, PG13 and Kawhi would be a heck of a frontcourt defensively though. Like I said I don't think either team would do those trades. Just thinking of possible trades that LAC gets someone about on par or better in exchange for Harrell.
Clips already have a terrific shooter off the bench in Lou Williams and Harrell brings them scoring, toughness and rebounding off the bench as well. Harkless is also a solid defender. They wouldn't be as strong with Bogdanovic and especially since Harrell can walk at the end of the year so Utah could lose him for nothing if Harrell and Harkless walk. What kingspeed isn't taking into consideration is that the Clips have the richest owner in the NBA. He's more interested in a title than saving money.
You're really struggling to grasp the "if" concept, aren't you? If they think they're winning it this year, they ride it out with the current roster. They'll worry about finances later, and they'll have no problem adding coattail veterans in the LA market. Remember, Doc had to talk Balmer into parting with that many draft picks. Cost wasn't a factor. Involved owners want the excitement of the draft.
Why are you responding to me then? They do in fact think they're a contender this year and that's not changing.
