The Los Angeles Clippers currently have one of the toughest situations in the league. A terrible 6-16 record has them sitting in the third worst spot in the Western Conference, despite hopes of contending for an NBA Championship. James Harden having an All-Star season is not enough to get them wins, as they are desperately trying to stay alive for a playoff spot.
One talking point about the poor start focuses on the lack of assets moving forward. Trading Kawhi Leonard for draft picks and a young player is the dream scenario to rebuild but opposing executives don’t think he holds much appeal to other franchises. The injury prone superstar has not been dependable enough to have strong market value.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Leonard has “negative value” to a couple of opposing team executives when he asked them about a potential trade. The belief is that great teams fear trading for him will ruin their chemistry once he misses time, and the teams that need more don’t believe they can rely on him. Leonard’s unique situation puts the Clippers in a tougher situation than most franchises considering trading a franchise player.
Harden More Valued Than Kawhi Leonard
Another interesting point from the NBA executives features the future of Harden with the Clippers. The overall discussion about the Clippers blowing it up leads to the obvious scenarios of both Leonard and Harden being the top names. Most other players on the roster are too old to hold strong value or have maxed out as a role player.
Harden is currently off to his best start in many seasons with averages of 26.9 points and 8.4 assists per game. The Clippers will likely see Harden make the All-Star team, regardless of how poorly their record looks. Harden’s spectacular play has made him more valuable across the league, but that value has tapped out.
“James has maybe neutral value,” an East scout told Windhorst about a Harden trade. “Kawhi has negative value.” Harden’s older age means that his value is neutral in the sense that the Clippers will have to get an even package. Opposing teams won’t give up more than one or two picks, and only expendable players will be offered. However, it’s better than Leonard having negative value across the league.
Clippers Will Likely Keep Kawhi Leonard
The Clippers have another terrible variable working against them that may make it impossible to trade Leonard or Harden. Los Angeles’ first-round pick goes to the Oklahoma City Thunder this season as part of the Paul George trade from years ago. No matter how bad their record dips or how great the pick is, it will go to the best team in the league.
Trading Leonard means rebuilding now and committing to knowing the season can’t turn around. The Clippers can at least tell themselves that a veteran led team will bounce back with Kawhi on the floor more often.
Making a move for the sake of it and taking less value on Leonard would be another risky decision that could hurt the franchise in the short and long term both. Leonard having negative value means he’s likely not going anywhere unless he’s the one forcing a move.
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