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Los Angeles Clippers: The problem with trading for Thaddeus Young

By Jason Reed

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 03: Thaddeus Young #21 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 03, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 03: Thaddeus Young #21 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 03, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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It appears more than likely that the Los Angeles Clippers will make some sort of improvement before the NBA Trade Deadline and it could be with Thaddeus Young.

It is safe to say that the Los Angeles Clippers are looking to make upgrades to the existing roster before the NBA Trade Deadline passes. While the beginning of the season has been successful for the Clippers, and they are good enough to win a title with the current roster, if an opportunity presents itself, the best teams are going to take it.

The need for improvement is greater as well with both the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks having great starts to the season. The Clippers absolutely could beat either team in a seven-game series, but it is also safe to say that they present a bigger challenge than we may have expected before the year.

There have been several names floated around the Clippers as potential targets, with Andre Iguodala being the biggest. A new name has been added to that list, as Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reported that the Clippers are targeting players like Thaddeus Young.

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There have been no reports of the Chicago Bulls shopping Young, but a young, rebuilding team would certainly be willing to listen to offers for a veteran forward. It is not like Young is a key component to the Bulls’ future either, as he has not started a single game in Chicago and has seen his role diminish.

The basic framework for a Young trade revolves around Maurice Harkless, who has been floated around as a trade chip for the Clippers already this season. Harkless has that perfect “in-between” salary ($11 million) and a straight-up, one-for-one trade would work financially for both parties.

And on paper, replacing Harkless with Young in the Clippers’ rotation would be a much better outlook. Although Young is having a down year, he is the better player both ways and would serve as an improved version of Harkless.

Young is the more reliable and efficient scorer. He has averaged 15.6 points per 36 minutes in his career and even in a down year is still averaging 14.5 points. Harkless, on the other hand, is a career 11.3 points-per-36 scorer and is averaging 8.5 points this season.

Harkless does have better shooting metrics this season than Young but the sample size is rather small. Last season, Young shot four percent better from the field and 7.4 percent better from beyond the arc.

Defensively, Young has gained 13 defensive win shares since the start of the 2015, Harkless has 7.9.

Contract-wise it helps the Los Angeles Clippers as well. The Clippers won’t be able to do much in free agency other than sign some exceptions or utilize bird rights and the team can essentially flip one year of Harkless for three years of Young. Even if they end up being even players, that is a long-term play by the Clippers.

It all sounds perfect, right? The only problem is that the Chicago Bulls are going to want something out of this as well. The team is not going to ship away Young for just Harkless, they are going to want future assets.

A second-round pick is not enough and a first-round pick is too much, especially with all of the picks that are already going to Oklahoma City. Thus, the team would have to include young players to convince the Bulls.

Jerome Robinson is the best option for the Clippers as the team could more-easily overcome losing Robinson, who has not really done much in his NBA career. However, that is exactly the problem — Robinson has not shown much of anything in his two years, so despite being a lottery pick, he might not be enough.

I think the Bulls would target Landry Shamet, who plays a much bigger role in the Clippers’ rotation. Is it worth sending Shamet, and maybe even a second-round pick, for Young? Probably not.

dark. Next. Load management is necessary for Kawhi and the Clippers

That is the inherent problem with trading for Thaddeus Young and is why it will never happen. Young would be a great addition to the Los Angeles Clippers, sure, but he is not worth the cost.

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