Why the Clippers Should Do It
There are two ways to look at this deal for the Clippers. They’d be getting rid of Paul George, and inviting all of the questions that come along with that after hastily assembling this team prior to last season.
But if Ballmer was as angry as reports suggest (he fired Rivers, which should be all the evidence we need) maybe he considers pulling the plug on the current core of the roster.
Los Angeles would also move George before he has the chance to depart at the end of the 2021 season. It would be a preemptive move by the Clippers, getting something of value in return (Barrett, plus peripheral pieces) before George could leave the Clippers empty handed.
Barrett would be the key to this trade. It hinges on how Ballmer, President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank, and the eventual new head coach view Barrett as a prospect.
The former Duke star is just 20 years old. The Clippers tried the quick approach to winning — assembling a team via free agency to win now — and it did not work in 2020. Perhaps a new approach is in order.
Lastly, Barrett is the type of player the Clippers will not be able to get in the draft for the foreseeable future, as Los Angeles dealt a haul of picks to Oklahoma City in exchange for George.
