3 Trades Los Angeles Clippers Should Consider Before Deadline

The moves that the Los Angeles Clippers make before the NBA trade deadline will largely determine their chances of winning a championship.

At 17-8 the Clippers find themselves atop the Pacific Division and destined to make their first playoff run since the 2005-2006 season. However, with newfound success, comes newfound responsibility.

As the current two seed in the Western Conference playoff race they find themselves as “buyers” until the March 15 trade deadline.

Here are 3 trades the Clippers should consider.

Ryan Gomes for Brad Miller

The Clippers are in need of a post player that can reliably score with their back to the basket.

And with only 10 centers averaging double-digit scoring figures, the pickings are slim.

DeAndre Jordan, Brian Cook and Reggie Evans all lack a signature move which leaves the newly acquired Kenyon Martin as the team’s most dangerous interior offensive threat.

Although Ryan Gomes and Brad Miller have not made any significant contributions for their own teams, a simple change in location could alter that.

In 16 minutes off the bench, Gomes averages less than three points per game and is scheduled to earn $4 million while Miller commands $4.8 million.

Gomes played three seasons in Minnesota and averaged nearly 11 points or more every year.

Due to injury, Miller has been limited to five games of action, but boasts a career average of 11.3 points throughout his 13-year career—including a 9.5 average during the postseason.

Once he is able to regain his conditioning Miller has the ability to flourish alongside Chris Paul, Jordan and Blake Griffin. 

With career averages of 32.7 percent from behind the arc and 2.9 assists he’d be able to extend defenses and find open teammates for easy baskets.  The center has always possessed uncanny passing skills—averaging 3.2 assists or more in six straight seasons (2003-2008).

His smarts and veteran presence could be a calming influence on a Clippers' roster that doesn’t overflow with playoff experience.

Randy Foye for Ronnie Brewer

It’s rare for teams atop their own division to trade amongst each other, however, this should be an exception.

Ever since Chauncey Billups suffered a career-threatening injury I’ve been unsure whether or not the Clippers can sustain success by starting two point guards.

Ironically, it’s due to an injury for the Bulls that makes this deal work.

All-Star point guard Derrick Rose has missed the team’s last two games due to back spasms. 

This isn’t a standard injury that gets assigned a timeline to heal.  Back spasms can flare up at any moment and cause extreme pain and discomfort.

And with the way Rose contorts his body on drives to the basket, his ability to bend and manipulate himself are imperative to his success.

If Chicago hopes to maintain home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, they can’t afford to start C.J. Watson at point guard.

Although he has been impressive for the Bulls during his five starts by averaging 15.6 points, Watson is better suited to lead the second unit.

Foye’s arrival could alleviate some of the pressure off the Bulls bench and Rose’s back.

In exchange, the Clippers would receive an exceptional backcourt defender to pair with Chris Paul and gives them someone to compete with Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade on the blocks.

His ability to hound on the perimeter would be a perfect compliment to the shot-blocking presence on the inside.

With Foye set to earn $4.3 million and Brewer set to earn $4.7 million it would be worth it for both teams to explore this scenario.

Eric Bledsoe for J.J. Hickson

Even without Billups, the strength of the Clippers falls upon their backcourt depth.

Chris Paul, Mo Williams, Randy Foye and Eric Bledsoe can all be rotated interchangeably.

Coming back from a right knee injury, Bledsoe has been limited to two games while receiving only 13 minutes of action.

In a swap of young bench players, both teams would be addressing team needs.

The Clippers rank 23^rd in rebounding while the Kings rank 30^th in assists. 

The 23-year-old Hickson has a career and season average of 5.7 rebounds while the sophomore Bledsoe averaged 3.6 assists as a member of the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

Hickson was removed from the starting lineup on January 18^th and has been given playing time sporadically ever since.

If a Clipper, he would be playing alongside the best passer since his days in Cleveland with LeBron James.

His experience playing alongside a superstar is what makes him a good blend with the youth on Los Angeles’ roster.

With less than a million dollars separating the finances of both contracts the Clippers can view this trade as an investment for the future as well something that can net immediate profit.