The Los Angeles Clippers (16-12) cannot survive till Kawhi Leonard returns to the lineup. they’re thriving.
The Los Angeles Clippers gained their sixteenth win of the season with a rating of 118-95 towards the Dallas Mavericks, who had been lacking star gamers Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. They proceed to place collectively a formidable season through which not solely their scoring has been strong, however their protection has been even higher.
Regardless of accidents to a number of key gamers, the Clippers stay in first place within the Pacific Division. Not solely will gamers like Kawhi and Terrence Mann return, however there will even be alternatives for additional improvement by trades.
The LA Clippers’ wants aren’t pressing, however they do have a possible want for a younger scoring guard, a backup heart, and a younger energy ahead. They might resolve considered one of these issues by buying and selling a younger, high-volume scoring guard from a foul crew.
A fantastic instance of that is Utah Jazz level guard Collin Sexton. He first caught the eye of the Clippers within the 2018 NBA Draft and was subsequently chosen by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the No. 8 total decide forward of the Clippers. He has an opportunity to be traded once more to a convention title contender if he will get the precise package deal deal.
Sexton acquired $18.3 million from the Jazz and is scheduled to make $19.1 million within the remaining yr of his contract subsequent yr.
The Clippers may simply make a suggestion for 39-year-old energy ahead P.J. Tucker, whose $11.50 contract is up and he’s not scheduled to play for the Clippers. The crew will seemingly make a suggestion to level guard Bones Hyland, who’s on a crew choice subsequent offseason.
Utah will seemingly request a draft decide. The Clippers solely personal a first-round decide within the 2030 NBA Draft and a first- and second-round decide within the 2031 NBA Draft. They’re buying and selling first-round picks within the 2025, 2027 and 2029 NBA drafts, in addition to a second-round decide within the 2030 draft.
The Clippers’ draft state of affairs is in turmoil, however they’ve proven no hesitation in buying and selling picks to win now.
Sexton is among the most underrated younger gamers on a below-average Western Convention crew. He has the potential to play capturing guard or level guard relying on the lineup.
Sexton performed in 26 video games, averaging 16.8 factors per sport, capturing 48.6 p.c from the sector and 43.9 p.c from 3-point vary. He additionally averages 2.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 0.7 steals per sport.
He has been a constant starter for the Jazz this season, beginning 24 of their 26 video games. However earlier than this season, Sexton was out and in of the beginning lineup.
If the Clippers want extra youth and explosiveness of their beginning lineup, Sexton may very well be the place to begin guard.
If the crew wants extra offense, he can function a beginning capturing guard as a catch-and-catch shot-taker. Sexton could be the proper praise to James Harden as an extra weapon and facilitator. He may very well be a starter and lead a second-team unit alongside guard Norman Powell.
Sexton’s addition to the crew would give the Clippers extra scoring, extra totally different lineup choices, and the youth the crew wanted most.
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