5 Players the LA Clippers Are Most Likely to Target in a Potential Trade

Overreactions are pretty common early in the season, but targeting trade candidates is completely logical. While some teams are still waiting to see how their new pieces fit together, others are scouting opposing teams' players in an attempt to identify solutions to their needs.

The Los Angeles Clippers’ needs are pretty obvious. They must address the small forward position. Matt Barnes, Reggie Bullock, Chris Douglas-Roberts and Hedo Turkoglu—even Jamal Crawford—have all been used at the position. It is blatantly obvious that Doc Rivers is searching for a viable candidate to start at small forward but has been unsuccessful.

So who should the Clippers keep an eye on as likely trade candidates? Will small forward be the only position addressed? What will it cost to find an upgrade at small forward?

Phoenix Suns: Gerald Green

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The Clippers badly need help at small forward. They lack a reliable offensive threat at the position, especially one that can shoot. Shooting is one thing Gerald Green can provide, although he is quite streaky from the perimeter.

Green is a long, explosive athlete who loves to hoist up perimeter jumpers, but he also can finish over anyone in the league. According to NBA.com, 35.4 percent of Green’s shot attempts last season were catch-and-shoot threes, of which he only made 32.1 percent.

While Green is not an elite shooter from anywhere on the floor, the Clippers already have one of those in J.J. Redick. Still, Green’s length and athleticism would be an upgrade over what the Clippers have right now, and he certainly would see his fare share of spot-up threes.

Rivers has nobody to matchup with the likes of Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay or Kawhi Leonard. Green might not be able to defend them to Rivers’ liking, but he at least has the length and athleticism to bother them. Meanwhile, his shooting will keep defenders from helping off the small forward position in order to close the lane on Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.

The Phoenix Suns might not be willing to trade within their own division, but Green is unlikely to return after this season, and Suns general manager Ryan McDonough might bite at the opportunity to add another prospect such as C.J. Wilcox or Bullock along with Barnes’ unguaranteed deal next season.

Detroit Pistons: Luigi Datome

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Better known as one of Europe’s best shooters before arriving in America, Datome played sparingly last season due to a crowded frontcourt rotation. Although he has not played a game this season as of November 11, Datome could be available.

Last season’s horrific shooting splits—7-of-39 from three—can be ignored, as he did not even log 250 minutes. His shooting in Europe—40 percent from three his last three seasons—suggests he will be a solid shooter from the perimeter, which would be a big boost right now for the Clippers.

Additionally, he is fairly athletic and competes defensively. He has decent size for the position at 6'8", 215 pounds and at the very least would garner a platoon role with whomever Rivers has at his disposal.

Unearthing the Pistons' asking price might be premature at the moment, as Stan Van Gundy values floor spacing and has yet to see Datome play during the regular season. It seems unlikely Van Gundy would be interested in Barnes, but exchanging an aggressive defensive guard like Jared Cunningham, Reggie Bullock’s shooting and defense and a second-round pick for Datome and Spencer Dinwiddie could make sense for both parties.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Corey Brewer

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One intriguing option for the Clippers is Corey Brewer. His combination of length, athleticism and ability to jump passing lanes could help the Clippers on both ends of the floor. According to Basketball Reference, he had one of the league’s better steal percentages last season at 2.9 percent, just one-tenth behind Kawhi Leonard.

While Brewer is a dreadful shooter and is painful to watch in a half-court offense, acquiring him might force Chris Paul and the Clippers into a faster pace. Brewer is excellent in transition thanks to his length and athleticism, and he loves to leak out in transition.

While he will not solve any of the offensive problems the team has had for years at small forward, he will be able to match up with the large wing players the Clippers have notoriously struggled against. Remember Paul defending Durant during the playoffs last season?

The Timberwolves seem to be acquiring assets while attempting to put a solid product on the floor. Brewer has a player option after this season, which he might exercise in order to hit free agency when the new television deal begins. Additionally, the Clippers could be looking toward the future with this trade and have their eyes set on Glenn Robinson III as well.

A deal consisting of those two wings for Matt Barnes’ unguaranteed contract, C.J. Wilcox and a second-round pick might be enough to interest the Timberwolves if they want to free up cap space this summer.

New York Knicks: Iman Shumpert

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Doc Rivers nearly landed Iman Shumpert last season in a deal that would have sent out Darren Collison and Matt Barnes, per ESPN.com's Chris Broussard. Unfortunately, Shumpert strained his left MCL just before the trade deadline last season, and Rivers was not willing to roll the dice.

Things could be different this year, as Doc Rivers desperately searches for a perimeter defender. Shumpert is long and athletic enough to play small forward and is a versatile perimeter defender, something the Clippers lack.

Shumpert has gotten off to a great start this season, scoring 14.3 points per game, dishing out 3.6 assists and grabbing 3.4 rebounds. Although he is an average shooter for his career, playing next to J.J. Redick, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin should allow him to up those averages by taking high-percentage, open jumpers.

What would the Clippers need to send out to entice the Knicks? Definitely Barnes, Reggie Bullock, two second-round picks and probably some cash. Barnes for Shumpert and Quincy Acy works. Bullock would then be dealt into the Knicks’ trade exception from the Travis Outlaw trade.

Denver Nuggets: Arron Afflalo

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Here's a player the Clippers nearly traded for at the beginning of Doc Rivers’ L.A. tenure. Afflalo was the assumed target before Rivers acquired Redick in the summer of 2013, according to Marc Stein and Ramona Shelbourne of ESPN.com. While the Denver Nuggets are loaded with depth, it has not resulted in many victories.

Afflalo’s solid perimeter defense and shooting would be welcome additions and fit into the team’s needs. However, the Clippers would be acquiring Afflalo to basically play small forward. Considering he is 6’5", he would be undersized for the position.

Furthermore, he has not proved that he is the stud perimeter defender that some claim he is, at least not according to ESPN’s defensive real plus-minus. Afflalo finished one spot behind Redick—71st—among shooting guards.

The cost to acquire Afflalo? Jamal Crawford and Matt Barnes. The Clippers would likely ask for Alonzo Gee as well, but would the Clippers sign off on the deal? The Nuggets could use another shot-creator, but this might take a third team to bring both sides what they really want in a deal.