The LA Clippers and Utah Jazz may have some business to tend to ahead of the midseason NBA trade deadline. With Kawhi Leonard and Paul George back in the lineup, the Clips are going to do what it takes to maximize their outlook to contend for a title.
After a series of recent moves over the last few years, the Clippers have little for holes to fill right now. They could use another big man and a point guard upgrade. It appears they are connected in reports to entertaining such options.
According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, while Clippers want to solidify their frontcourt depth around Ivica Zubac, they have interest in trading for Mike Conley.
The Clippers, league sources say, are exploring trade options to fortify their frontcourt beyond Ivica Zubac, but that’s not all. Sources say they also have trade interest in Utah’s Mike Conley Jr. amid a rising belief leaguewide that the Jazz — who have tumbled to No. 9 in the West at 22-24 after their great start — could become a much-needed seller at this deadline.
The Jazz began the season as the top surprise team in the NBA. With a 9-3 start, there was a lot of talk about having a greater immediate trajectory than expected despite trading away NBA All-Stars like Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. Lauri Markkanen has continued to thrive and appears set to become a first-time All-Star, but the team has unraveled in the win column.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mike Conley, Utah Jazz & LA Clippers Updates
The Jazz are 9.5 games back from the first-place Denver Nuggets and rank 10th in the Western Conference standings. They are the same number of games back as the 11th-ranked Phoenix Suns and 12th-ranked Oklahoma City Thunder. There is a real outlook for Utah to miss the play-in potentially.
Aside from some veteran leadership, it doesn’t do the Jazz much good to keep an older point guard like Conley. Moving on from his contract would free up more opportunities for young options already on the roster, which should be among the goals for a rebuilding team.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mike Conley, Utah Jazz & LA Clippers Updates
The Clippers are committed to contending to the fullest extent possible as soon as possible. They exhausted their draft capital to trade for Paul George, and it’s not easy to envision Kawhi Leonard is a superstar with significant longevity. Conley fits that window and would address a need with Reggie Jackson and John Wall leaving room for improvement.
