The Los Angeles Clippers have won three games in a row and four of their last five but they have still been underwhelming this season as they are 10-8 which is good for sixth in the Western Conference. The Clippers expect to be competing for an NBA Championship this season but so far it hasn't looked like they have the roster to be able to do so. Because of that, the Clippers might just be willing to make a big trade if one comes along, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders.
The report states that the Clippers aren't to the point of blowing things up just yet but that they are getting close. The trade market is still pretty unclear at this point as we are just a little more than a month into the season but people around the league believe that the Clippers would be willing to make a "splashy move" if one were to be available to them .
Some people are saying that the Clippers would be opportunistic if a good player became available but others believe that they are more desperate than they are letting on. The Clippers have had their full roster available to them this entire season, with the exception of J.J. Redick and Chris Paul missing three games each, yet they still have underperformed so there is some thought that a major change is needed.
Any trade that the Clippers make this season would likely have to include Jamal Crawford because of his contract. The Clippers are already over the luxury tax this season and wouldn't be able to add more salary so Crawford would likely be moved to make salaries add up and he has an expiring contract that teams might find valuable. Despite talk of having his role reduced this season Crawford is still playing 25.3 minutes per game and is averaging 12.1 points through the first 18 contests but he has yet to find his shot as his percentages are 36 from the field and 27 from three.
It is unknown what kind of player the Clippers would be looking for in a deal but based on this report it seems they will take anyone that can help. Crawford is not having a good season so far but has value because he is in the final year of his deal so if they can flip him for a more productive player that would be a wise move. Only 18 games into the season the Clippers don't have reason to be desperate yet but if a trade opportunity were to come along that would benefit them this season they would be foolish to pass it up as Crawford is expendable and they have to try and keep up with the Golden State Warriors.
