Los Angeles Clippers: Shake Up The Core?
The Master Plan
The problem the Clippers have this offseason is not quite having enough. Not enough cap space to sign anyone meaningful, not enough trade value to get back a blue chip player at two positions.
The way to bridge the gap is to bridge both arenas to maximize the return and set up for a strong run at a title next season. They should break up the core, engage in the trade market, and be aggressive in free agency. If everything broke perfectly, here is how it could look.
First, the Clippers should trade Chris Paul to the Boston Celtics for Jae Crowder and a future Brooklyn draft pick, perhaps with another future first. Boston would do this because with Paul they can make a serious run at either Kevin Durant or Al Horford this offseason.
The Clippers get Jae Crowder, the wing they’ve needed all of this time. Because of the cap space jump, the Celtics can take Chris Paul’s salary into space.
With the cap space they have now freed up — another $16 million, the difference between Paul and Crowder — the Clippers sign free agent PG Mike Conley to a max contract offer. He is a strong defensive guard with elite passing skills and the ability to score.
He will excel working the pick-and-roll with Jordan and with the increased spacing of playing alongside Redick and Crowder will be able to score even better than in Memphis.
The Clippers fill in the rest of the roster, using the draft picks acquired from Boston to trade for a strong “seventh man” to come off the bench. The trade exception created in the Chris Paul trade will allow them to absorb a larger contract even after they are over the cap. Perhaps Shabazz Muhammad could be available, or if Washington sours on him, Markieff Morris.
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Suddenly the Clippers have retooled and are well-stocked for another run. They may not begin the season as favorites in the ultra-competitive Western Conference, but they would have every opportunity to show they aren’t simply early-round flameouts but a legitimate contender ready to succeed.