The 2022-23 NBA season has already featured several ups and downs for the LA Clippers. They were among the favorites for the NBA championship this season because of how strong the roster was. They are arguably the deepest, most talented team, top to bottom, in the league. The Clippers’ biggest obstacle has those players healthy and on the court.
Tyronn Lue has had to deal with players being in and out of the lineup on a nearly nightly basis. There are some restrictions in place as guys are returning to the court from long layoffs, but more injuries have popped up along the way.
Los Angeles has played 25 games, going 14-11 thus far. That speaks volumes to how good of a coach Lue is and how deep the team is as only four players have appeared in every game thus far this season; Ivica Zubac, Reggie Jackson, Terance Mann and Marcus Morris Sr.
Paul George has played in only 17 games, returning from a three-week absence against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. Kawhi Leonard has played in only six games as the team attempts to manage his knee injury and work through an ankle injury that was suffered on November 21st.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Robert Covington & LA Clippers Updates
But, given how much depth the Clippers have, there are always going to be players that aren’t receiving the playing time that they may deserve. One player who has fallen into that category at times this season is veteran Robert Covington.
Covington has been in and out of the rotation depending on the health of his teammates. Despite being re-signed to a two-year, $24 million deal this offseason, he has found himself on the outside looking in more often than not. When the team is fully healthy, that could happen more regularly.
As a result, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Covington is emerging as a trade candidate for the Clippers. Given his diverse skill set and affordable contract, it comes as no surprise Covington could be moved as plenty of teams would benefit from adding him to their team.
“The Clippers are arguably the deepest team in the league, and Robert Covington has been the odd man out to start the season. Due to his defensive versatility, ability to stretch the floor as a veteran frontcourt player, and moveable salary ($12.3 million), Covington is a player worth monitoring.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Robert Covington & LA Clippers Updates
If there was one area of need for the Clippers it is in their frontcourt. They don’t really have another big man on the roster behind Zubac as Moses Brown is the only other center and he is averaging 5.9 minutes per game in 17 appearances. The loss of Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency, as he signed with the New York Knicks, was a sizable loss and the Clippers didn’t replace him.
Even when they go small, the options are limited if Covington isn’t going to be in the rotation. So, if there are no plans to use him regularly, flipping him for a player they will use or some more assets would make a lot of sense.
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