After dropping to a 4-11 record and losing nine of their last 10 games, the Los Angeles Clippers are at their lowest. It may be time for Steve Ballmer and the rest of the front office to save the season by making moves.
Should the Clippers Go All In for LaMelo Ball?
Why the Clippers Need LaMelo
First of all, the Clippers don’t have many trade assets. Aside from James Harden and Ivica Zubac, only John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanovic carry any real trade value alongside their contracts. The team’s real assets are their draft picks – or what remains of them. Their 2029 pick swap, alongside their 2030 and 2031 first-round picks, are what teams would likely request.
With Kawhi Leonard still missing games and Bradley Beal out of the season with a fractured hip, the team desperately needs another player who could help Harden with the scoring load – and somewhat match the production Norman Powell gave last season.
Since trading Powell, the team has had 21.8 points missing from their games. The Clippers have struggled without Leonard, and if Harden weren’t having his best season since leaving Houston, their record would be even worse.
Promising performances from rookie Kobe Sanders and sophomore Cam Christie have given Clippers fans hope, yet they still lack the ability and maturity to be a vital piece for the team if they were to make the playoffs.
After Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko reported that LaMelo Ball has grown frustrated with the Charlotte Hornets and is open to being traded, Clippers fans salivated at the idea of the former third overall pick being in Los Angeles.
It isn’t like their excitement exists without reason. In June, Lavar Ball posted a video on Instagram, urging the Clippers to get both LaMelo and his brother, Lonzo, to Los Angeles. The video has consistently been mentioned when discussing Ball’s potential destinations. If Iko’s report were true, then now would be the perfect time to pounce on a deal to get the 24-year-old.
A Big Risk
So far, Ball is averaging 21.6 points, 9.6 assists, and 6.9 rebounds per game, but has only played in nine games due to an ankle injury. The injury concerns linger for Ball, who has missed significant time in recent seasons due to injury. Ball would also have to come off the bench for Harden, as both players need the ball in their hands.
The Clippers would weaken their already-shaky frontcourt by trading away Collins, who has had productive minutes for the second unit. Much has also been said of Ball’s curious shot tendencies, highlighted this season after shooting his career lows so far from the field and outside the three-point line.
Beyond his scoring, Ball could help energize the Clippers’ slow transition game and create more possessions. He can also pull defenses toward him, which will be a massive plus for the Clippers, who rely on moving the ball to find open shooters.
The Last Word on Clippers, LaMelo
Trading for Ball is definitely a risk, but seldom do the Clippers have a significant chance of landing a young guard with immense potential this early in the season. Recent form also warrants a change in the rotations, making this a risk the Clippers desperately need to make.
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