Insider: ‘Don’t rule out’ Clippers trading for scrutinized All-Star

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine. David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Insider: ‘Don’t rule out’ Clippers trading for highly scrutinized All-Star

By Jeff Smith | Last updated Jul 17, 2024 11:07 PM ET

The Los Angeles Clippers opted to pivot this offseason by letting star Paul George leave in free agency.

The decision came under even more fire after the team reportedly declined numerous potential sign-and-trade opportunities that would have netted a return for George instead of him simply leaving to join the Philadelphia 76ers.

With fellow star Kawhi Leonard signing a contract extension during the 2023-24 season and James Harden inking a two-year, $70M deal to return to the Clippers, it still leaves a significant hole where George was.

However, according to NBA insider Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the franchise may have interest in a trade for a player who's been circulating on the trade rumor mill since at least last season — Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine.

According to Cowley, if a deal comes together for LaVine, "don't rule out" the Clippers.

NBA people still feel like if there's a place Zach LaVine could end up going to - either before the season or at the deadline - don't rule out the Clippers.
— Joe Cowley (@JCowleyHoops) July 16, 2024

LaVine has been linked to numerous teams, with the rumblings increasing ahead of last season's NBA trade deadline. Cowley also reported recently that there's a belief Bulls' executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas is worried LaVine's distrust with the front office and head coach Billy Donovan could lead to a "dysfunctional" locker room if he's not traded.

LaVine's tenure in Chicago has featured the two-time NBA All-Star being scrutinized for various reasons. Those rumors escalated to the point that his agent and Klutch Sports Group CEO, Rich Paul, publicly pushed back at the negativity surrounding his client, as K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago revealed.

Does a Clippers hypothetical trade for Zach LaVine make sense?

While the addition of LaVine could make sense from a basketball standpoint for the Clippers following the departure of George, the team is still in far from an ideal situation in terms of the salary cap. According to Spotrac, they sit near the middle of the league at No. 13 in salary cap space.

Considering LaVine is due roughly $138M over the next three years of his deal and is set to earn between $43M and $48.9M in all three seasons, the deal would be slightly head-scratching.

Although LaVine is 29 and George is 34, the Clippers weren't interested in forking over another top-end contract. Still, it's unknown how the guard's age could impact the front office's viewpoint and opinion of LaVine.

Time will tell, but much of the decision could come down to how the Clippers look during the early stages of the 2024-25 NBA season. If they're struggling in George's absence, don't be surprised if they kick the tires on LaVine or another potential trade.

Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith has extensive experience as a sports writer and editor, including stops at ESPN, FOX Sports, CBS Sports, USA TODAY SMG, and Heavy. Jeff's passion for sports content starts and finishes with writing and he's grateful to be able to work in that field on a daily basis.

More must-reads: