Los Angeles Clippers Receive: F Harrison Barnes

Sacramento Kings Receive: G/F Luke Kennard, LAC 2022 2nd Round Pick, LAC 2023 2nd Round Pick

It is definitely a long-shot to think about, but could the Los Angeles Clippers be interested in a player like Harrison Barnes? With Kawhi Leonard presumably out for an extended period of time to begin the season with a partially-torn ACL, Paul George and Reggie Jackson are the two main contributors on this Clippers’ roster with Eric Bledsoe, Terance Mann Marcus Morris Sr. and Nic Batum as secondary options next to them. 

The Clippers have no cap space whatsoever and they would be increasing their tax bill by acquiring Harrison Barnes, but if they were to trade Luke Kennard, they can actually make a trade like this work. Bringing in Barnes makes sense from a talent perspective since they could use another forward with championship experience, but the tax bill may be too high for them to make this deal. 

From the Kings perspective, getting Luke Kennard may not be a terrible thing, especially since he is a knock-down three-point shooter. His contract is not too favorable, but he shot 44.6% from three-point range last year and would join a Kings roster that needs more three-point shooters, especially if they are going to look to trade Buddy Hield. 

Getting two second-round picks from the Clippers in this trade as well gives the Kings the ability to continue trying to find ways to add more talent through the draft, especially since they could package these picks with another player on their roster in a trade to gain more young assets or first-round talent. 

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Again, this is a long-shot possibility that the Clippers likely could not pull off, but there is a scenario in which the Los Angeles Clippers could acquire Harrison Barnes as a fill-in replacement for Kawhi Leonard to begin the season.