NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers To Trade For Al Horford?

Mike Jaglin had a pretty cool week thus far. Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul jokingly suggested he become head coach, and Jaglin has been privy to some rumors that could be pushed forward pending the results of the Clippers upcoming seven-game road trip.

In the episode 83 of the Clipcast podcast, Jaglin furnished a rumor that the Clippers have been mulling a trade of DeAndre Jordan to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for center Al Horford and DeMarre Carroll.

Although Jaglin did not claim that Jordan was currently on the trading block, when finally coerced and had his arm pulled to a significant length by podcast co-host Chris Wylde, Jaglin commented:

"“If we don’t get out of this road trip, with the ball down midfield. Things might be up in the air.”"

Vague to say the least, and after more badgering by Wylde, Jaglin admitted that the going inside rumor is …

"“DJ for Al Horford and DeMarre Carroll.”"

Al Horford’s return to the hardwood has been a pretty rusty one thus far. He’s averaging 13.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 11.8 assists for the Hawks, while shooting 51.4 percent from the field — Horford’s lowest since his 2007-08 rookie campaign.

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The idea behind trading Jordan stems from the inevitability of Jordan’s representation asking for a max contract at the conclusion of this season, when Jordan will be an unrestricted free agent. Jaglin suggests the Clippers will be unwilling to give Jordan a pay increase, which makes sense.

Although Jordan has established himself as an elite post defender and shot blocker, with point guard Chris Paul and forward Blake Griffin maxed out, the cash the Clippers could use on Jordan will most likely be spent on upgrading the small forward position, if the Clippers are unable to accomplish that via trade during the season.

In addition to the complex money situation, the Clippers are learning a valuable lesson in signing one-way players to maximum contracts. Jordan’s useful on the defensive end and pretty limited on offense unless he’s creating second-chance shots on the offensive boards or finishing dunks of lob-passes from Chris Paul.

So far this season Jordan is leading the league in rebounding at 12.4 boards a game, while averaging 3.9 offensive rebounds. In Monday’s loss to the Bulls, Jordan scored 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting while collecting 17 rebounds and three blocks.

Carroll is scoring 12 points and collecting 6.3 rebounds on the early season and shooting a career-high 45.8 from the 3-point line. In 33.8 minutes per game (also a career high), it’s obvious that Carroll can help the Clippers fix their shooting woes and give Los Angeles another threat from deep, possibly in the starting lineup.

The Clippers have struggled to find the right fit at the small forward position, but this trade reeks of desperation. Although Jordan is limited to playing one side of the ball, at the moment Horford is not a clear upgrade.

Carroll is an upgrade over Matt Barnes who’s looked very uncomfortable in the starting small-forward role and while second year forward Reggie Bullock is looking more like a player on his way out of the NBA, newcomer Chris Douglas-Roberts is currently sidelined due to injury.

None have been overly impressive in the Clippers early start.

This trade may have legs, but after head coach Doc Rivers poor signings of Douglas-Roberts this season in addition to last year’s flops of Jared Dudley, Antawn Jamison and Byron Mullens, it’s time to question his roster building prowess. Second-best coach currently in the NBA without a doubt, and it could be argued that with the Clippers cap flexibility (or lack there of), Rivers compiled the best team he could. Should he pull the trigger on this trade or any similar variation, it won’t be for the Clippers betterment.

Next: Does Jamal Crawford Merit A Spot Among Top 30 Shooting Guards Of All Time?

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