The Los Angeles Clippers are trying to trade forward Marcus Morris and shooting guard Norman Powell, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
The Clippers waived guard Eric Gordon because they were unable to find trades for Morris and Powell before June 28 at midnight. Shedding Gordon’s $21 million salary for next season saved Los Angeles $110 million in luxury tax.
“The Clippers have been trying to find a trade exit for both Marcus Morris Sr. and Norm Powell, league sources say,” Stein wrote. “They found neither before Wednesday at midnight and thus felt forced to waive Eric Gordon, because shedding Gordon’s $21 million salary for next season saved $110 million in luxury tax.
“You read right: $110 million. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer can afford that — more so than pretty much any owner in the league — but the team-building restrictions on teams that stray more than $17.5 million past the luxury tax line are so onerous that even Team Ballmer has to avoid the dreaded second apron if it can.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Marcus Morris, Norman Powell & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
The Clippers lost to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games. Two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard only played in Games 1 and 2 due to a torn meniscus in his right knee and All-Star small forward Paul George missed the entire series with his own knee injury.
Los Angeles has never reached the NBA Finals in franchise history. Leonard and George are two of the best players in the NBA, but neither star forward has been able to stay healthy since coming to the Clippers in the summer of 2019.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Marcus Morris, Norman Powell & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Some insiders around the NBA believe the Clippers could blow up the roster next summer if the team doesn’t compete for a championship in 2023-24. Los Angeles is potentially facing a crossroads with its roster since Leonard and George both have player options for the 2024-25 season.
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