After the L.A. Clippers were stripped of five first-round picks following the NBA's investigation into salary cap circumvention; they may have one big bright spot. The Clippers will need to get creative in rebuilding, but they still have a potential ace up their sleeve.
After all, at the moment, they probably won't be able to rebuild through free agency or even the draft. Therefore, they must instead be willing to take on bad contracts in exchange for draft picks.
That could be a great way for them to rebuild their draft stockpile and improve their long-term outlook. As a result, they may become a dumping ground for other NBA teams looking to shed unsightly deals. But they could also build a much better team than they ever could with Kawhi Leonard.
The Clippers may build a contender by becoming a dumping ground
Without any better options, the Clippers may become a dumping ground. It's not a glamorous position to be in. Despite that, previously rebuilding teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, and San Antonio Spurs made it work to impressive result.
Sometimes, being willing to take back awful contracts can net bad teams serious assets, helping fast-track a rebuild. The Clippers must adapt that same strategy if they hope to dig themselves out of the mess they created.
It's not hard to find undesirable contracts. In fact, there are quite a few awful ones floating around the NBA. One that immediately comes to mind is De'Aaron Fox.
The Clippers must get creative to rebuild their roster after the NBA's punishment
The Spurs signed Fox to a five-year, $225 million extension that will kick in this season. Had they known they'd be drafting Dylan Harper, they probably wouldn't have even traded for Fox, let alone maxed him out.
They don't necessarily have to move him for a couple of seasons but would probably be open to trading him if the Clippers are willing to acquire him. One potential trade might see the Clippers shipping out Darius Garland for Fox, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks.
Garland has two years remaining on his deal, meaning that the Clippers would be eating three more years of Fox's contract. However, Fox is still under 30 years old and may regain some of his trade value.
Receiving four picks for Fox and possibly rebuilding his trade value could result in L.A. flipping him for more assets in the future. Those are precisely the types of deals the Clippers should be scouring the trade market for right now.
Ones that would help another team in the short term but would cost them picks while helping the Clippers in the long term. If they can make a few of those trades, they can slowly but surely rebuild their draft stockpile. Otherwise, the Clippers could be negatively impacted for the next half-decade.
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