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Los Angeles Clippers: The trade for Carmelo Anthony that should happen

By Jason Reed

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 16: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts from the bench in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on December 16, 2017 in 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 16: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts from the bench in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on December 16, 2017 in 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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The Oklahoma City Thunder need to somehow flip Carmelo Anthony to realistically contend for the 2019 NBA Title. Enter the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Los Angeles Clippers are in a state to sell their assets this offseason in order to add young pieces to accelerate the inevitable rebuild. Trading for Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony may be the best first move the Clippers can make for this movement.

I already know what you are thinking. “Carmelo Anthony has a massive contract and is nowhere close to the player he was before! This is crazy!!!”

And I definitely understand that sentiment and understand why, on the surface, this trade looks ridiculous for the Los Angeles Clippers. It is true that Anthony has fallen off his usual talent level and is owed a lot of money last season.

It does seem like backward logic on the surface.

However, it is not. There is a very specific trade the Los Angeles Clippers should pull off with the Thunder for Carmelo Anthony, under certain circumstances. The trade:

The underlying thing here is that both DeAndre Jordan and Carmelo Anthony would have to agree to this trade for it to even happen. Anthony owns a no-trade clause and Jordan has a player option that could send him to free agency.

Both sides have their own positives in this trade to accept it. For Anthony, he can return to the primary scorer while still being on a decent enough team that can contend for a playoff spot. Plus, there is always the lucrative things that come with playing in Los Angeles.

For Jordan, he can maintain his large contract next season and play for a contender without committing to the Thunder long-term.

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For the two teams, this trade makes sense for both parties. The Oklahoma City Thunder get a better piece that will help them contend and lure back Paul George. This would even open the door for the Thunder to explore a trade for Steven Adams.

As for the Clippers, they are trading one year of a bad contract for another and are receiving young assets and are freeing up space at guard all in one deal. Jerami Grant is starting to come into his own and that 2019 first-round pick could play a huge role in the team’s rebuilding future.

And there is always the long shot opportunity of luring in LeBron James. While this is about as big of a longshot as it gets, James may return to the Cavaliers for one more season and eventually leave for Los Angeles. Anthony can take a pay cut to then play with his Banana Boat Crew partner.

Again, that is very far-fetched, but it would at least become a possibility. At the very least, the Clippers would be getting young talent for virtually no long-term cost.

Next: Tobias Harris trade to the Pelicans makes sense

If you still think that this is a terrible trade for the Los Angeles Clippers be sure to let us know on Facebook, Twitter and in the comments below.

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