The Los Angeles Clippers have not quite been able to keep pace with the Los Angeles Lakers through this point in the season, and that could lead to a significant move being made at the trade deadline.
Marc Stein of the New York Times reports that the Clippers are concerned with how their frontcourt matches up with that of the Lakers. Because of that, the Clippers have been exploring the trade market for dependable big men in addition to wing depth behind Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
The Clippers, even after the off-season of their dreams, are exploring the trade market for dependable size as well as potential wing depth in advance of the Feb. 6 trade deadline, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 23, 2020
Doesn't guarantee that they'll make a deal, of course, but the Clippers are said to be concerned about their lack of muscle up front compared to the Lakers' length as well as the ongoing health issues Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are battling
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 23, 2020
Stein mentions Andre Drummond and Steven Adams as as the big names available, but he says teams are also keeping an eye on Aron Baynes.
Andre Drummond and Steven Adams are the big-name bigs available, but among the most intriguing is Aron Baynes. The Suns are not shopping Baynes, league sources say, but they have also not ruled out moving him before the Feb. 6 deadline if a team meets their trade price
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 23, 2020
The Clippers obviously had a massive offseason, but true contending teams look for ways to improve even when they are in a solid position. That is the case with the Clippers, who entered Thursday with the third-best record in the Western Conference at 31-14. They have gone with a smaller lineup the majority of the time this year, and they don’t really have anyone who can match up well against Anthony Davis.
As expected, the Clippers have been managing the workloads of Leonard and George. The goal with that is to have them fresh for the postseason, but George recently admitted he has a long way to go. If the Clippers can acquire some wing help at the deadline, it would put them in a good position to continue with their load management approach.
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