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Los Angeles Clippers: Don’t expect any trades at the deadline

By Jason Reed

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 10: Head coach Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers watches from the bench during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 10, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 10: Head coach Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers watches from the bench during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 10, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Clippers certainly could improve with a trade before the trade deadline but likely won’t make a deal at all.

The Los Angeles Clippers are one of the most surprising teams of the NBA seasons and are set up to be in the running for a playoff spot as the season winds down. With a 23-16 record, the Clippers currently stand as the fourth seed in the Western Conference.

The Western Conference is so closely contested from top to bottom that the Clippers are actually closer to the ninth seed (3.5 games) to the first seed (four games).

The Clippers are far from being in the clear and there is still the worry that the team will fall into a big dry spell. Every NBA team gets in these slumps but the best teams often have at least one superstar that can will the team out of the rut.

Despite having a roster that feeds off of each other and has overperformed, the Clippers do not have that superstar. It would be in the team’s best interest to acquire a star this season in order to win a playoff series, however, the Clippers should ultimately stay away from the trade market altogether.

There really is nothing on the market that is going to help the Clippers now and in the future. The two biggest stars the Clippers could land is Bradley Beal and Kevin Love, which could be intriguing, but would not make the Clippers a true title contender overnight.

It is not worth giving up young assets in order to make the team marginally better when it has two max cap spots next summer that could consist of Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler and DeMarcus Cousins.

That leads the Clippers down the path of adding a role player in a trade. However, there are certain parameters that need to be met for a player to be traded for.

It is probably going to have to be a player that is on an expiring deal that way the Clippers can maintain the cap space for next year. If not that, it has to be a player that the Clippers can flip Danilo Gallinari for and be a significant upgrade.

There really is not anything on the market that would significantly help the team with these parameters in place.

Instead of helping the team, the Clippers would be running the risk of affecting the chemistry of the team. The reason that the Clippers play so well together is that everyone has a specific role and a certain dynamic on the roster.

Like an intricate puzzle, the Clippers fit together nicely and gel together. That is the best thing you can ask for without having a star, there really is no point in messing with that for a marginal upgrade, at best.

No Clipper on the roster deserves an all-star nod. dark. Next

Thus, I would not expect the Los Angeles Clippers to make any sort of move at all as the NBA Trade Deadline approaches.

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