LOS ANGELES, CA – The fourth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers showed flashes of their potential for much of the first half despite playing numerous games without both All-Stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
They lost six of their last 10 games heading into the All-Star break, most of them single-digit losses with close finishes.
While many might not put much stock into the Clippers’ record or their trend of losing close games, it is a bit of an eye opener considering they are supposed to have two of the most clutch players in the game.
However, that hasn’t meant much to the Clippers particularly the last two weeks before the break. It hasn’t just been their defense which has been one of the worst in the clutch this season, but also their offense which has also stalled in those critical moments.
One of the reasons is the Clippers not having a true playmaker at the guard position to take pressure off of The Klaw or PG-13. This was a well-discussed issue during the offseason and the Clippers never really addressed it.
While they have Patrick Beverley, who is a pit-bull on defense and capable of handling the rock and knock down the three, you can’t really trust him to run the offense in crunch time. Lou Williams, the veteran Sixth Man, can make plays but is better looking for his own shot, and is not a good defender at all.
It begs the questions could a true point guard who can play both ways solve the Clippers’ issues in the clutch and will they be willing to trade for one by the March 25 deadline.
One of the names that’s circulating is 6-time All-Star Kyle Lowry, who won a championship with Leonard in Toronto two years ago. The Raptors season is hanging in the balance and may want to maximize Lowry’s value before he hits free agency this summer.
The problem for the Clippers is not only will Lowry be sought after by other contenders but he is making $30.5 million this season, meaning LA would have to part ways with regular rotation players like Beverley and others in order to make the salaries match.
Also, Raptors president Masai Ujiri would want some young assets and draft picks in a package which the Clippers are bereft of (see George trade).
While Lowry would be a great get, it could be tough for the Clippers to land him. However, there are other guards that could be available.
The rebuilding Oklahoma City Thunder could be looking to deal veteran guard George Hill and the faltering Atlanta Hawks have two-time champion and postseason stud Rajon Rondo on a short term deal that would be much easier to trade for.
Those options make more sense for the Clippers and could acquire them without trading key guys or young talents like Terrence Mann. We shall see what the Clippers’ front office brain trust has up their sleeves between now and the trade deadline.
One thing is for sure, another playmaker is necessary if they are going to make any noise in the playoffs.
