Los Angeles Clippers: 6 Burning Questions Heading into the Trade Deadline

There's never a dull moment in Los Angeles, is there?

Just as the cross-city Los Angeles Lakers are frantically searching for a point guard, the Los Angeles Clippers have thrust themselves into trade conversations for two high-profile shooting guards. Whether or not a satisfactory deal can be constructed is yet to be seen, but the intrigue and possibility are certainly present.

Just 20 games into the season, star guard Chauncey Billups suffered a torn Achilles tendon. Billups has been ruled out for the year, causing some to question whether the Clippers' title chances went down with him. Hence the trade hysteria.

Beyond their search for a replacement at the 2, the Clippers are a team filled with uncertainty. After an impressive 19-9 start, they've lost six of their last nine games. A major factor is the 99 points per game that they're surrendering over that stretch, up from the 93.4 points they'd allowed in the previous 28 contests.

For the Clippers, there is no end to the questions they must answer as they enter the second half of the season. To make it easier on Lob City and their fans, I've consolidated those questions to the six most important points of examination.

One week from now, we'll all know their response.

6. Is Randy Foye the Answer at the 2?

In what appeared to be a final cry for permanency, Randy Foye put on quite a show in the Clippers' loss to the New Jersey Nets.

Foye finished with 24 points, including five three-point field goals and a four-point play that tied the game with 38 seconds remaining. Despite the quality of this performance, it's unclear whether or not Foye will be in possession of the starting spot beyond the trade deadline.

It's also unclear if he'll be a Clipper.

While Foye is far from the irrepressible scorer that cross-city legend Kobe Bryant has proven to be, he's quite the efficient contributor. Much like recent signing Kenyon Martin, Foye brings a grittiness to the Clippers that most teams lack. He's also a physical defender who plays passionate basketball and has the rare ability to get underneath an opponent's skin.

The question is, can Randy Foye help the Clippers win a title? Before anything else can be done, the Clippers must find the answer.

5. Who Is Untouchable?

When a team is as deep as the Clippers, it's hard to gauge the importance of each individual player. Nevertheless, it must be done as the Clippers search for one final acquisition to bring their championship dreams to reality.

While it's safe to assume that Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are safe, it's unclear who else joins them in that category.

Current starter Caron Butler is an elite defender who has re-discovered his scoring touch, averaging nearly two three-point field goals per evening. Joining him are guard Randy Foye and center DeAndre Jordan, neither of whom appear to have a defined future.

While Jordan would seem to be protected after signing a four-year $43 million contract this off-season, his minutes have suddenly become sporadic. Despite averaging career-bests of 9.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks, Jordan has played 23 minutes or less in four of the past five games. None of which have been related to foul trouble or injuries.

Reserve guards Mo Williams and Eric Bledsoe are also players with high trade value. They're also high in production value. To give up either one of those players would mean the Clippers believe in the long-term production of their replacement.

One week from today, we will see what measures the Clippers are willing to go to in order to strengthen their status as a contender. More importantly, we will see who the Clippers feel they can survive without.

4. Does Ryan Gomes Have Trade Value?

It wasn't too long ago that Ryan Gomes was starting and scoring in double-figures on a nightly basis. Unfortunately for Gomes, Caron Butler is now on the roster.

Gomes has seen his minutes split in half, going from 27.6 minutes per game in 2011 to just 13.9 in 2012. Subsequently, his production has seen a decrease across the board.

The question is, does he still have trade value?

Gomes is 29 years old but has been healthy for the most part of his career. He's also an above-average three-point shooter, an efficient defender and a big body on the wing that any team could benefit from in transition.

While it would take more than just Gomes to get a significant deal done, it's reasonable to question whether or not he could make a difference in acquiring targeted players such as Ray Allen and Jamal Crawford.

3. Are There Unacknowledged Needs?

As everyone claims the Clippers' season rides on their ability to acquire someone at the 2, it's important to block out the tunnel vision and evaluate the team as a whole.

While there is an unnecessary amount of depth at the four, the Clippers only possess one natural five on the active roster. While DeAndre Jordan certainly produces at a high enough level, his minutes have been inconsistent and so has the Clippers' defense.

Would it benefit the Clippers to acquire a center through trade or free agency?

2. What About Lamar Odom?

Word is spreading like a wildfire that Lamar Odom is "desperate to return to Los Angeles." Considering the Lakers traded Odom within 2012 NBA season, they cannot re-acquire him via trade. There is, of course, another team in LA.

While Odom has proven to be as big of a headache as the Kardashian's themselves, his talent is undeniable. He's the reigning Sixth Man of the Year and would certainly take the pressure off of both guard positions with his scoring and ball handling abilities.

While no one would be foolish enough to call this a necessary move, it's certainly one worth exploring.

1. Jamal Crawford vs. Ray Allen: Who Is the Better Fit?

If the Clippers are going to make an upgrade at the 2, who exactly should they be targeting?

Yannis Koutroupis of HoopsWorld.com reports that the Clippers are interested in acquiring Jamal Crawford of the Portland Trail Blazers. NBC Sports reports that the Clippers are in pursuit of Ray Allen of the Boston Celtics.

Which is the better move to make?

While Ray Allen is 36 years old and could be playing one of his final seasons in the NBA, he is a proven winner. Allen is a 10-time all-star and has two NBA Finals appearances with one title win.

He's also the greatest three-point shooter of all-time.

On the other hand, Jamal Crawford is the 2010 Sixth Man of the Year and has averaged greater than 14 points in every season since 2004. While he has never been the model for efficiency, he is one of the game's most prolific scorers when he's on his game.

With numerous suitors searching for these very players, the Clippers must make a decision before it's too late.