Los Angeles Clippers' 2015 Trade-Deadline Shopping List
Despite the Los Angeles Clippers' 25-13 record and plus-6.4 point differential, fourth in the league, there are lingering problems holding the team back from their potential. These issues surely have resulted in head coach Doc Rivers creating a shopping list of needs before the trade deadline approaches.
When Rivers was asked about potential additions, including his son Austin Rivers, Doc sent a message to his team, according to Robert Morales of the Long Beach Press-Telegram (via the Los Angeles Daily News):
"I know there’s been these rumors and stuff, and I can’t talk about that," Rivers said. "We’re going to do what we need to do. I’ll tell you that."
So what does Doc need to do in order to fix the flaws that exist on the roster he created?
The team defense has been poor all season, currently ranking 17th in defensive efficiency, via NBA.com. While the offense has been strong overall, ranking third in offensive efficiency, the bench needs firepower, defense and an identity.
Rivers' bench consists of Jamal Crawford driving, shooting and launching his way to difficult baskets. He is averaging a career high in both usage percentage (39 percent) and minutes played at small forward (27.6), according to Basketball-Reference.com.
These are only a few of the team's problems Rivers must attempt to fix this season. The three most pressing needs clearly stand out and absolutely need to be on his trade-deadline shopping list.
Backup Point Guard
Entering the season, if you thought the Clippers would desperately need help at the point guard position, you were right on the money.
Jordan Farmar has played, well, terribly. He was given the task of offsetting the production the Clippers lost when Darren Collison opted out of his contract, signing for the non-tax-paying, mid-level exception with the Sacramento Kings.
Collison played quite well with the Clippers last season, averaging 11.4 points, 3.7 assists and 2.4 rebounds while playing 25.9 minutes per game.
Meanwhile, Farmar is averaging 4.6 points, 1.9 assists and 1.2 rebounds, playing 14.7 minutes per game.
The team is lacking a guard who can attack the basket, especially one with the speed and quickness of ex-Clipper points guards Eric Bledsoe and Collison.
Farmar is better suited running the offense and spotting up from three. While Rivers does have an affinity for shooters, the team has more than enough on the roster.
So what are Rivers' options to address this issue?
The Clippers have been linked to Austin Rivers and are likely to acquire him, via Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today:
Rivers is an attacking guard who has struggled to develop since being selected by the New Orleans Hornets with the 10th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft—the same pick the Clippers dealt the Hornets in the Chris Paul trade. Although he is a career 39 percent shooter from the field, his athleticism and ability to attack off the dribble could help the bench.
Additionally, the Clippers have been linked to Nate Robinson, according to Marc J. Spears and Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, and Ramon Sessions, via Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee.
Adding Rivers and another guard such as Robinson, who is likely to be bought out, would certainly address the issues the Clippers bench has faced. Furthermore, these two additions could potentially lead to a Jamal Crawford trade to address another weakness.
Small Forward
The small forward position has been a weakness of the Clippers for years. The team has been searching for an answer, either offensively or defensively, without much success.
Thankfully, Matt Barnes has gone on a hot streak and has been playing well most of the season. Since December 1, he is averaging 10.6 points and 3.6 rebounds on 48.9 percent shooting from the field and 40.8 percent from three, according to NBA.com.
The real problem has been finding any sort of depth behind Barnes, who might be better served coming off the bench. Chris Douglas-Roberts, Hedo Turkoglu and Reggie Bullock have all had shots to earn a spot in the rotation, but they have not been able to impress Rivers.
Due to the lack of depth, Rivers has been forced to play his starters more minutes and slide Crawford to small forward for stretches. This is by no means an ideal situation, as Crawford's defensive real plus-minus has been rated as a minus-2.41, 88th among 99 qualified shooting guards, according to ESPN.com.
So where is Rivers likely to find a solution to his small forward woes?
For starters, Tayshuan Prince's agent is currently negotiating a buyout with the Boston Celtics, via Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix.
Prince has struggled recently over the years and has not posted a league-average player efficiency rating since the 2010-11 season, according to Basketball-Reference.com. Additionally, he is shooting a mere 41.0 percent from the field and recording his second-lowest usage percentage of his career this season.
Another option for Rivers could be the Denver Nuggets' Wilson Chandler.
According to Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post, head coach Brian Shaw has denied rumors the team is actively shopping Chandler and Aaron Afflalo. However, the article reports the Clippers are interested in at least Chandler.
Chandler would be a big upgrade at small forward, assuming the team is able to retain Barnes. Chandler is averaging 14.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists this season and would help on both ends of the floor.
However, acquiring the Nuggets swingman would likely cost the Clippers J.J. Redick, Spencer Hawes or Crawford. Since the Clippers are operating under a hard cap, the team must match salaries while staying below the assigned cap level. This would require it to deal a salary within 125 percent of the outgoing salary, plus $100,000, while staying below the $80.829 million figure, according to Larry Coon.
Perimeter Defender
Although this role might be filled by adding a small forward, Rivers needs to acquire a player who can defend the athletic guards in the league as well. The team's defensive issues have been well-chronicled in previous articles, and many of the problems revolve around the team's inability to defend the perimeter.
Rivers' defensive guard options on the roster were limited until he signed Dahntay Jones to a 10-day contract on January 14. According to Rowan Kavner of the team's official website, perimeter defense is exactly why he signed Jones:
"Probably any position, Rivers said. He’s just a defensive player…He can’t play the point on the offensive end, but he can guard points, he can guard twos and threes. I think you give him a try and see if he has anything. If he doesn’t, we’ll go another route.
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Jones may only be a short-term option, but his signing means Rivers is searching for a remedy to the team's weak perimeter defense.
Should Jones not work out, expect Rivers to revisit the Nuggets for a potential solution via trade. Again, Afflalo has been targeted, along with Chandler, per ESPNLosAngeles.com's Ramona Shelburne:
Afflalo would likely be counted on to play small forward and shooting guard, especially since he is a solid player on offense as well. He would fill two roles: small forward and perimeter defense. Still, he would be better suited using his size playing shooting guard rather than as an undersized wing.
Finally, Rivers could attempt to pry Jae Crowder away from the Celtics.
Crowder was acquired in the trade that sent Rajon Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks. Standing 6'6" and essentially stuck between a guard and forward, Crowder is a solid defender who plays with passion and energy, something the Clippers need.
Rivers is already nearing a deal with the Celtics to acquire his son, so he could push the envelope in an attempt to fill two needs in one trade. It remains to be seen if Rivers would be able to land Crowder in general, but it would be worth attempting.
Overall, the Clippers have been "consistently inconsistent," as Crawford eloquently stated to ESPNLosAngeles.com's Arash Markazi.
The offense has been excellent at times, but the bench has struggled mightily to score. Defensively, there are multiple needs, mainly revolving around preventing perimeter penetration and contesting shots.
Rivers needs to make a move, and apparently, he agrees, considering the acquisition of Jones and the potential trade for his son. However, those deals are unlikely to correct the team's pressing issues.
Another deal, or signing a player such as Robinson if he is bought out, will be needed. Additionally, the small forward position must be addressed, so keep an eye out for another move in the coming weeks. After all, Rivers is the one who said he will do what must be done.
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