Los Angeles Clippers: Three players that could become trade bait

Whether it is to acquire a superstar or to reset the franchise, the Los Angeles Clippers may make some trades during the upcoming offseason.

The Los Angeles Clippers are at a fork in the road when it comes to the summer of 2018. After parting ways with Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, the Clippers are a shell of the team they once were. The only talent left standing from the very talented Lob City Clippers is center DeAndre Jordan; who can opt out of his deal this offseason.

Jordan probably won’t, as no team will pay him $24 million this offseason, but the Clippers may just have one more year with him.

Around Jordan is a deep supporting cast that are all talented, yet lack any true stardom. The Clippers are definitely deep enough to contend for the NBA Playoffs, but that is where the team’s ceiling is met.

Thus, with the possibility of Jordan walking either this year or next, the Clippers are in need of a true identity. The team can either surround Jordan with as much talent as physically possible, hopefully accelerating the rebuild and making the Clippers a favorable free agent destination.

Or, the team could blow it up, trade away all assets and start anew. With two lottery picks in the 2018 NBA Draft, this becomes an easier reality for Clippers fans to handle.

Whether those trades are for Kawhi Leonard to form a new super team or to take on large contracts and draft picks, chances are the Clippers are going to do some form of trading this offseason.

Here are three players that may emerge as potential trade chips as the offseason progresses.