The Los Angeles Clippers have a ton of question marks as they head into the offseason. After being eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round, the Clippers could be active in the trade market with several targets in their sights.
Los Angeles was again without one of their stars in the playoffs. Kawhi Leonard, one of the best two-way players in the NBA when healthy, only appeared in Game 2 and Game 3 of the series and was ineffective.
After acquiring James Harden early in the season, this Clippers team was expected to make a deep run. Harden and Paul George are now entering free agency, and there is a chance that one or both will leave. Harden has less of a market, but George has multiple teams that will pursue him.
The Clippers have offered George multiple contracts below the max, but he has declined to test the open market.
Los Angeles has two directions they can take in the offseason. They can either tear it down and rebuild their stars to accumulate young assets and replenish their draft capital or continue to go all-in.
The Clippers will most certainly choose the latter as their owner, Steve Ballmer wants the star power as they move into their own arena, the Intuit Dome, next season.
With that in mind, let’s look at three Clippers trade targets in the 2024 NBA offseason.
Dorian Finney-Smith
One Clippers trade target the team could pursue, regardless of whether they re-sign Harden and George, is Dorian Finney-Smith. Finney-Smith is a quality 3-and-D forward on a Brooklyn Nets team that underperformed this season.
If the Nets sell, Finney-Smith will be a target for many teams. He fits the defensive forward role that the Clippers front office likes. Beyond Leonard and George, the Clippers have had forwards like Robert Covington, Marcus Morris, PJ Tucker, and others in a 3-and-D role.
Finney-Smith averaged 8.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists this season while shooting 42.1 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from three.
The 31-year-old is a quality role player, and the Clippers could acquire him with the contract of PJ Tucker, who is likely to accept his $11 million player option. They would have to include additional assets but have the money to make it happen.
If Los Angeles can land Finney-Smith, he would fit exceptionally well as a role player.
Larry Nance Jr.
Another target the Clippers should have is Larry Nance Jr. Nance Jr. is a small-ball center who has played well with the New Orleans Pelicans.
He is solid on both ends of the floor and is earning $11.2 million next season. This deal again aligns with Tucker’s contract, making him a role player who is feasible to acquire.
Nance Jr’s versatility on the defensive end of the floor makes him the perfect small ball option for the Clippers lineup. With the Pelicans this season, he averaged 5.7 points along with five rebounds, 1.9 assists, and a steal per game. The 31-year-old shot 57.3 percent from the floor and 41.5 percent from distance.
New Orleans wants to contend, but with Brandon Ingram’s future uncertain, some big changes could be on the horizon. The Clippers should make a call to see if Nance Jr. is available.
Nick Richards
A traditional backup center that Los Angeles could look to acquire is Nick Richards. Richards is an underrated player as he has quietly been a quality big for the Charlotte Hornets.
Richards averaged 9.7 points and eight rebounds per game this season. He shot 69.1 percent from the field while blocking 1.1 shots per game.
Richards is a quality rim protector and rebounder and is efficient. The 26-year-old is under contract for $5 million per year for the next two seasons. With a steal of a contract, the Clippers should make an offer for Richards.
The Clippers have a ton of question marks as they enter the offseason, with George and Harden entering free agency. However, it’s also important to upgrade the role players, with Dorian Finney-Smith, Larry Nance Jr., and Nick Richards as potential targets.
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