Grading the LA Clippers’ Return
The LA Clippers have been a big question mark this season purely because of the fact that they are without their two best players, who happen to be two of the better overall talents in the entire league. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are two All-Star talents that could very well be out for the rest of the season due to injuries/rehab.
The chances of Los Angeles making a significant run in the playoffs still remain small given the talent at the top of the Western Conference with the Suns, Warriors and Grizzlies, but this is a great long-term move for the Clippers.
Norman Powell has proven over the last few seasons that he is a dependable two-way wing that can play off of superstar talents.
In Toronto, he emerged as a key secondary scorer and reliable perimeter defender next to Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam. When he was traded to Portland last season, Powell continued to be this same kind of player next to Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Clippers Pull Off Big Trade With Blazers For Powell, Covington
Eric Bledsoe was never going to be anything more than a role player in the backcourt this season and Justise Winslow was nothing more than a rotation guy on the bench. This deal was made by the Clippers to better their chances of not only making the playoffs this season, but set themselves up to make a real championship run next season.
At full-strength, we are looking at a Clippers rotation of Reggie Jackson, Norman Powell, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac, Luke Kennard, Terance Mann, Amir Coffey and possibly even Marcus Morris Sr. and Nicolas Batum if Los Angeles does not trade them at the deadline this season.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Clippers Pull Off Big Trade With Blazers For Powell, Covington
That is a championship contending roster right there and the Clippers would still have the possibility of re-signing Robert Covington, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. The Clippers tax bill increases from $93.9 million to $112.9 million this season, but Steve Ballmer is the richest owner in the NBA and would probably have no problem dipping into the luxury taxes once again next season to retain Robert Covington.
This trade made by LA Clippers GM Michael Winger and team president Lawrence Frank on Friday is an A+ trade that sets Los Angeles up for a ton of success at virtually no risk.
