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NBA Power Rankings Week 14: Trade deadline recap

By Corey Rausch

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Denver Nuggets at Amway Center on March 23, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Denver Nuggets at Amway Center on March 23, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /
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NBA trade deadline (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
NBA trade deadline (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

Previous: 10th. Los Angeles Clippers. 6. team. 77. . 31-16

Last Week: Beat Atlanta Hawks 119-110, Beat San Antonio Spurs 134-101, Beat San Antonio Spurs 98-85, Beat Philadelphia 76ers 122-112

This Week: 3/29 vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 3/30 vs. Orlando Magic, 4/1 vs. Denver Nuggets

The LA Clippers indisputably had a good week on the court but the results of the deadline left critics and fans alike scratching their heads. Widely reported to be looking for a point guard to help run the offense the Clippers locked in on Rajon Rondo of all players. The fact that the Clippers gave up assets and dumped Mfiondu Kabengele to make it happen is ever more confounding.

Rondo has not been good this season, plain and simple. He has played just 14.9 minutes per game in 27 games and is averaging 3.9 points, 3.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game. He is shooting 40.0 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from distance. He is a minus player on a negative value contract.

The Clippers were desperate for help at that position and are betting on the return of Playoff Rondo. The sample size suggests they will be rewarded based on how Rondo looked in the postseason as recently as six months ago. However, the sample size of the Clippers failing to meet expectations is even large. Only time will tell if the gamble will work out. Losing Lou Williams hurts, especially given how long he has been a member of the team. Losing out on the bench scoring of Montrezl Harrell in the offseason and Williams now is nothing to sneeze at.