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Clippers Rumors: The best way to trade up for Luka Doncic

By Jason Reed

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 25: A general view during the First Round of the 2015 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 25, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 25: A general view during the First Round of the 2015 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 25, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The latest Los Angeles Clippers rumors are not surprising: the team is reportedly interested in Real Madrid superstar Luka Doncic in the 2018 NBA Draft.

We have talked about Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Clippers before. However, now the latest Clippers rumors signal that this may be a real connection to keep in mind as the 2018 NBA Draft fast approaches.

Yahoo Sports insider, Shams Charania, said on the Yahoo Sports NBA Podcast that the Clippers were exploring a trade up to trade Luka Doncic (h/t Bleacher Report).

Doncic is one of the highest touted prospects heading into the draft. He is arguably the best international prospect in the draft since Kristaps Porzingis in 2015 NBA Draft, who was selected fourth. That has worked out nicely for the New York Knicks.

It is hard to pinpoint where exactly Doncic will land in the draft. Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report and Jeremy Woo of SI have Doncic going fourth to the Memphis Grizzlies. However, The Ringer and Tom Ziller of SB Nation have Doncic going second to the Sacramento Kings.

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Doncic will undoubtedly be a top-five pick and can really be selected at any spot. However, after examining the top five picks, there really is only one team to do business with.

The Suns, Kings, Hawks and Mavericks are all in deep rebuilding phases and likely will not trade down in the draft. The Grizzlies, however, still have Marc Gasol and Mike Conley and can afford to trade down in the draft if it means more assets.

Plus, it helps that the Grizzlies have already been circled as the team to do business with if any other teams want to trade up in the draft.

That obviously becomes the pick to target for the Clippers and the team should only trade if Doncic is still available four picks in. If so, this is the trade package I would explore if I am the Clippers.

While the Clippers could explore deals including both the 12th and 13th overall pick, a much better opportunity presents itself. With cap space, and the need to rebuild, the Clippers can afford to take on the terrible contract of Chandler Parsons by parting ways with Tobias Harris and Patrick Beverley, both of which are on expiring deals.

This gives the Grizzlies two solid players to throw into the fray next season without any long-term commitments. Not only is it making the team significantly better next year, it opens the door for other opportunities after the season ends.

By doing this the Clippers can maintain the 13th overall pick to also draft a center that can replace DeAndre Jordan, someone like Robert Williams fits the billing.

Yes, Parson’s contract is ugly, but the Clippers are in no spot to realistically contend anyway, with or without Parsons.

Memphis is going to get much more out of freeing up Parsons for Harris and Beverley than they would a second first-round pick.

Next: Clippers draft profile: Robert Williams

The Luka Doncic Clippers rumors are very intriguing. Since the Clippers have the right pieces, something tells me that these rumors will become a reality.

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