The NBA free agency period starts Friday afternoon, but the Clippers already are rumored to be making moves that could set themselves up for a title run.
But there are so many moving parts to a proposed deal that would bring 10-time All-Star James Harden to the Clippers, it could take a day or two to figure out whether 1.) it would work with the new salary cap rules and 2.) how much would the Clippers be willing to give up in return?
On Thursday, Harden exercised his $35.6 million contract option for the upcoming season, enabling both he and the Philadelphia 76ers to work together to find a trade, ESPN reported. Citing unnamed sources, the Clippers and New York Knicks were mentioned as possible landing spots for Harden, a veteran point guard who would fit the Clippers’ championship plans.
The Clippers and Sixers reportedly have been in contact this week about a potential trade (or separate trades) that would send Harden and Tobias Harris to L.A. for multiple role players, according to YahooSports. The Clippers mentioned in the report were Marcus Morris Sr. and Norman Powell, but it could include Robert Covington or a combination of young players, such as Terance Mann, Amir Coffey and Brandon Boston Jr., along with several draft picks.
But it is believed that Philadelphia will want value for Harden and that could mean the Clippers would have to possibly send additional role players, such as Terance Mann, or be willing to break up the tandem of All-Star wings Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
George has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason, with NBA Insider Marc Stein the first to report that the Clippers were exploring trade options involving the eight-time All-Star. Another report said the Portland Trailblazers and Clippers “briefly” discussed swapping George for Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 pick in last week’s draft.
However, Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, said after last week’s draft that his intention was to continue to build around George and Leonard.
“What we are trying to do is see how we can put together the best team around these guys and, you know, we look at the different things, what worked, what hasn’t worked,” Frank said. “… We’re trying to maximize these two and figure out ways that we can get better.”
If the Clippers keep George, they will need to look at some of their moveable contracts, including future draft picks, as a way to improve their roster.
Morris, who was part of the failed three-team trade that would have sent him to the Washington Wizards and brought oft-injured Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon to L.A., is a potential trade piece. Morris, who has one year remaining on a four-year contract that will pay him $17.1 million this season, saw his minutes dwindle at the end of the season.
Powell is an expendable player given the Clippers’ guard-heavy roster. The 30-year-old veteran has continued to be a productive player off the bench (he averaged 17 points despite missing 22 games), but trading Powell would allow the Clippers to get out from under the remaining three years of a five-year deal that pays him roughly $19 million per season. It would give the Clippers additional flexibility after they waived veteran guard Eric Gordon on Wednesday.
Gordon’s contract for the upcoming season would have been fully guaranteed on Wednesday, but the Clippers elected to let him go, making him an unrestricted free agent. The Clippers acquired Gordon in a trade deadline deal in February, bringing him back to the team that drafted him in 2008. He averaged 11.0 points and 2.1 assists in his 27-game second stint.
But Gordon didn’t turn out to be the good fit the team thought, and by waiving him, the Clippers saved approximately $110 million on their luxury tax bill, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
One guard the Clippers could re-sign is Russell Westbrook, an unrestricted free agent. Although past his prime at age 35 (by the time the season begins), Westbrook could demand much more than the $3.8 million the Clippers can offer.
It remains to be seen whether he would want to play with Harden again (they were teammates for one season in Houston and early in their careers in Oklahoma City), should a trade happen.
Last season, Westbrook left a favorable impression on the Clippers’ front office despite turning the ball over 3.4 times per game and finishing with his lowest scoring average since his rookie season. Westbrook not only took over the leadership role when George and Leonard were injured and unavailable during their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns, but he was well-liked in the locker room.
Westbrook, too, was happy with the Clippers, saying after the season, “I love it here. I love the people, just the fans overall embracing not just me but my family and close friends. … A lot of things have happened, but I’m grateful. I love being here.”
However, he also said that he looked forward to deciding his future as a free agent for the first time in his career. The Clippers signaled that they might be willing to move on from Westbrook, if needed, when they pursued Brogdon before expressing concern about a significant injury to his forearm.
The Clippers’ other free agents – second-year center Moussa Diabate (restricted) and center Mason Plumlee (unrestricted) – could find themselves back next season.
Plumlee gave the Clippers a solid presence in the paint, proving valuable especially when starting center Ivica Zubac found himself in foul trouble.
The Clippers signed Diabate to a two-way contract on Wednesday, making him a restricted free agent. Diabate, who was a G League all-rookie team selection, saw action in 22 games last season for the Clippers and averaged 2.7 points and 2.3 rebounds.
