The Los Angeles Clippers have been on the lookout for ways to shake up their roster this NBA offseason. The team fell short of expectations once again in large part because of injuries to their stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
The constant shuffling of the lineup and rotations left the Clippers without continuity and cohesion during the 2022-23 season. It resulted in another outcome as Los Angeles finished fifth in the Western Conference and was eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs.
This offseason, there has been some chatter around the team about potentially bringing James Harden into the fold to help push them over the top. Alas, his situation with the Philadelphia 76ers doesn’t look to be coming to an end any time soon.
Daryl Morey has shown in the past he isn’t going to just give players away who want a change of scenery. He is going to wait until he gets back exactly what he is looking for. Multiple first-round picks could be asked for by the 76ers in a deal for Harden, which could be too rich for the Clippers’ blood.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Los Angeles Clippers, DeMar DeRozan & James Harden Updates
Where else could the Clippers turn to upgrade their roster? ESPN NBA Insider and former front office personnel member, Bobby Marks, believes that DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls would make sense as a pivot.
“For the Clippers … is James Harden worth two first-round picks,” said ESPN analyst Bobby Marks on “The Lowe Post Podcast” on September 5. “And I think for them, who else out there? Who’s going to be another disgruntled guy out there? … What happens in Chicago with DeMar DeRozan, for example?
“If you’re looking at that situation does DeMar DeRozan fit better than James Harden with this group here, at maybe a little bit less of a cost?” (H/T Heavy)
The biggest question mark with DeRozan would be if the Clippers are willing to work out an extension with him. Marks has estimated that an extension with DeRozan would be a four-year, $170 million deal.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Los Angeles Clippers, DeMar DeRozan & James Harden Updates
Giving that kind of contract to a player who is 34 years old is certainly risky. But, DeRozan has shown much more durability than Leonard and George the last few seasons as someone the Bulls could count on night in and night out.
That should mean a lot to the Clippers based on their recent track record. Landing DeRozan would also be cheaper from an assets standpoint to acquire in a trade, making him an ideal target should Harden be unattainable.
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