Who Might Value the 2019 Clippers pick the most? The Clippers...

ssspence

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Jan 3, 2018
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I, for one, would be ecstatic to get Lou Williams here. He fits into the Hayward DPE and could be resigned in the offseason. But are the Clippers willing to trade him? And at what cost? He's one of the most attractive guys who may presumably hit the trade market this month.

As everyone knows, the Clippers pick the Cs own is lottery protected in 2019, and then in 2020. Should it not render in those years, it becomes a 2022 2nd rounder.

The Paper Clips playoff prospects in both 2019 and 2020 are pretty foggy. They have a lot of money committed to Griffin and Gallinari over those two seasons, which is... suboptimal. This summer they may lose Jordan, Austin Rivers and Williams for nothing if they're not traded. And if they're signed? A nice looking cap picture for the summer of 2019 starts to look dubious, yet with a core that's struggling to win anyway. Doc Rivers, IMO, is also a near term flight risk (for better or for worse).

Yet Ballmer will certainly be financially aggressive, they have Jerry West consulting, and LA is always an attractive destination for FAs. Could they hang in the 4-8 area of the West in those years? Maybe, but it's not a safe bet.

Back to the pick ~~ Few teams will see value in acquiring it, considering both the risk in both time, and potential slot degradation. So which team might be most bullish about its prospects? The Clippers of course.

The Clips have a shortage of 1st round picks in upcoming drafts. And they'd be unlikely to bet against themselves as unable to make the playoffs in both 2019 and 2020. So unless the Cs choose to trade it, where would it's use be most valuable? The Clippers may value that pick far more than any other team.

I'd like to see Ainge attach it to the DPE in acquiring Lou Williams. It's increasingly difficult to get 1st round picks for expiring contracts in today's NBA, so a pick in the 15-25 range of 2019 or 2020 represents respectable value for a Williams rental. And yet for the Cs, who may very well see the Clips as unlikely to be able too hang in the west in coming years, it could very well be a steal.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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The Clippers are still in the playoff hunt, Williams is having a career year and there will be plenty of suitors for his services (Philly and, per The Ringer today, San Antonio to name a few).

If Williams is available at all, the price will likely be more than just the Clippers pick. I wish that wasn't the case because there are more than a few of us who have been banging the Lou Williams drum since it became apparent early on that the C's could use more bench scoring.
 

ssspence

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Jan 3, 2018
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The Clippers are still in the playoff hunt, Williams is having a career year and there will be plenty of suitors for his services (Philly and, per The Ringer today, San Antonio to name a few).

If Williams is available at all, the price will likely be more than just the Clippers pick. I wish that wasn't the case because there are more than a few of us who have been banging the Lou Williams drum since it became apparent early on that the C's could use more bench scoring.
Two assets for a 3 month rental?

Philly: could offer two high second rounders this year.

SanAn: could send their 1st this year, though that seems awfully un-Buford like.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Two assets for a 3 month rental?

Philly: could offer two high second rounders this year.

SanAn: could send their 1st this year, though that seems awfully un-Buford like.
Williams isn't truly a three month rental as he comes with Bird rights. Whoever acquires him is likely to use that exception to resign him. The Clippers will likely get someone to pay up for both Williams for the balance of this season and the right to retain him going forward.
 

ssspence

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Jan 3, 2018
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Williams isn't truly a three month rental as he comes with Bird rights. Whoever acquires him is likely to use that exception to resign him. The Clippers will likely get someone to pay up for both Williams for the balance of this season and the right to retain him going forward.
That’s a touch of a reach. I get that cap space isn’t flying around the league this summer and bird rights will be meaningful, but the guy is a UFA. If he gets food poisoning at Grille 23 in June and decided he’d rather be a Mav or something... that’s his choice.

What are you suggesting San Antonio or Philly will give up to get him. Specifics?
 

HomeRunBaker

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Aldridge is nuts if he feels the Clippers would be sellers at the deadline. This isn't Ballmer's style and he LOVES Lou. What would their incentive be to move him as a rental for a low 1st/early 2nd? That's insane now that Blake is back unless they completely blow it up and love DJ too. Again, that isn't why Ballmer bought this team.
 

the moops

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Clippers are only 1 game out of the 8 spot, and more importantly only 2 games behind the Pelicans who kinda just lost an important piece. That 6/7/8 seed is definitely in play
 

ssspence

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Jan 3, 2018
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Aldridge is nuts if he feels the Clippers would be sellers at the deadline. This isn't Ballmer's style and he LOVES Lou. What would their incentive be to move him as a rental for a low 1st/early 2nd? That's insane now that Blake is back unless they completely blow it up and love DJ too. Again, that isn't why Ballmer bought this team.
Rrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiighht....

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-trade-deadline-rumors-clippers-pistons-discussing-blake-griffin-deal/amp/

https://www.google.com/amp/www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20180128-story.html?outputType=amp
 

benhogan

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Aldridge is nuts if he feels the Clippers would be sellers at the deadline. This isn't Ballmer's style and he LOVES Lou. What would their incentive be to move him as a rental for a low 1st/early 2nd? That's insane now that Blake is back unless they completely blow it up and love DJ too. Again, that isn't why Ballmer bought this team.
100% agree with you and said as much in the trade thread the other day... BUT they just dealt Blake.

Clipper blow up is beginning.
 

DJnVa

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How do you "value" draft picks in something like the NBA trade machine?
 

ssspence

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Celtics Trade: Smart, 2018 Celtics 1st Round Pick

Celtics Receive: Lou Williams, Denver 2018 1st Round Pick (right to swap for their own)

Nuggets Trade: Mudiay, Denver 2018 1st Round Pick (Boston’s right to swap for their own), Portland 2018 2nd Round Pick

Nuggets Receive: Smart, Celtics 2018 1st Round Pick

Clippers Trade: Williams

Clippers Receive: Mudiay, 2018 Portland 2nd Round Pick
 
Last edited:

benhogan

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Celtics Trade: Smart, 2018 Celtics 1st Round Pick

Celtics Receive: Lou Williams, Denver 2018 1st Round Pick (right to swap for their own)

Nuggets Trade: Mudiay, Denver 2018 1st Round Pick (Boston’s right to swap for their own), Portland 2018 2nd Round Pick

Nuggets Receive: Smart, Celtics 2018 1st Round Pick

Clippers Trade: Williams

Clippers Receive: Mudiay, 2018 Portland 2nd Round Pick
Not bad.
Clippers probably say No thanks. Does Mudiay have any value?
Nugget's say yes
Celtic's say yes

maybe add some young/cheap filler from Celts and Nuggets to Clips
 

nighthob

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Celtics Trade: Smart, 2018 Celtics 1st Round Pick

Celtics Receive: Lou Williams, Denver 2018 1st Round Pick (right to swap for their own)

Nuggets Trade: Mudiay, Denver 2018 1st Round Pick (Boston’s right to swap for their own), Portland 2018 2nd Round Pick

Nuggets Receive: Smart, Celtics 2018 1st Round Pick

Clippers Trade: Williams

Clippers Receive: Mudiay, 2018 Portland 2nd Round Pick
The Clippers, Mudiay’s basically a draft bust at this point, if they put Williams on the block they’ll get more than salary filler and a mid second. Especially in this cap constrained environment where those Bird rights have real value.
 

cheech13

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Celtics Trade: Smart, 2018 Celtics 1st Round Pick

Celtics Receive: Lou Williams, Denver 2018 1st Round Pick (right to swap for their own)

Nuggets Trade: Mudiay, Denver 2018 1st Round Pick (Boston’s right to swap for their own), Portland 2018 2nd Round Pick

Nuggets Receive: Smart, Celtics 2018 1st Round Pick

Clippers Trade: Williams

Clippers Receive: Mudiay, 2018 Portland 2nd Round Pick
The problem with that trade scenario is that Lou Williams is the best player in the deal, but you have Clippers getting the least. It makes more sense if it's Lou to Boston, Smart to Denver and Mudiay and a first round pick to LAC. However I don't think Denver is going to want to move a first round pick for Smart.
 

ssspence

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Jan 3, 2018
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Mudiay’s still a talented kid. It would not be strange to see a team stuck in the middle take a shot at him.

But this is all moot — Williams off the market.

What’s not moot? Smart to the Clippers makes some sense.
 

Tony C

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It does? Why? I don't see where Smart would fit on the Clippers, but....maybe i'm wrong.
 

benhogan

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It does? Why? I don't see where Smart would fit on the Clippers, but....maybe i'm wrong.
I don't see Smart going to the Clips, but I guess ssspence thinks they need Smart's defense to cover for Lou Will (and Lou Will's offence covers for Marcus).

After watching IT this year I really respect the work Avery, Terry, Marcus, Jaylen, Al, etc did on help defense last season.