The Clippers have recently been facing some challenges, especially in their match against the Thunder, which seems to hold little suspense. The Thunder are currently on a 12-game winning streak, with a momentum that is hard to stop.
On the Clippers' side, the most concerning news is Harden's announcement of rest due to an inguinal injury, which is undoubtedly adding insult to injury for the Clippers who are trying to break through their bottleneck. Honestly, once Harden goes on rest, it's like the Clippers have lost their strongest engine. Although the remaining players are full of fighting spirit, they face a hot team like the Thunder with almost zero chances of victory.
Harden's inguinal injury is not a new issue; he has been playing through the pain, with frequent red flags raised during this period. Now, he has finally "reached his limit" and announced his rest, indicating that Harden's physical condition has reached a point where he must take a break.
For the Clippers, it can be described as "leaking house hit by连夜rain." After Harden's rest, the Clippers' lineup is almost devoid of All-Star level players, making it a dream to defeat the Thunder.
Other players on the Clippers are either inconsistent in form or injured, making it too difficult to rely on a single player to carry the team.
As everyone worries about the Clippers' future, the team has started to make positive adjustments and initiated a trade plan. According to reports, their target is the European tough guy center - Valanciunas.
The Clippers clearly realize that, aside from Harden's injury issues, the team's ability to compete in the paint is also a significant weakness. Although Zubac is not bad, facing a fast-changing offense like the Thunder, the Clippers' defensive pressure in the paint is considerable.
Valanciunas' addition could provide better protection for the team in rebounding and paint battles, especially when paired with Zubac to form a "twin tower," significantly enhancing the team's defensive toughness.
Many people are no strangers to Valanciunas, whose "tough guy" style has long been ingrained in people's hearts. Once against Jokic, Valanciunas delivered impressive stats of 22 points and 12 rebounds, proving that he is not to be underestimated, even leading the Wizards to upset the then Nuggets.
All this proves that Valanciunas' strength cannot be overlooked. If the Clippers can secure him, it would indeed be a qualitative improvement for the paint. Especially against teams like the Thunder, the hardness of the paint often influences the direction of the game. If the Clippers can strengthen here, there may still be a glimmer of hope.
However, the problem arises. Now, not only the Clippers but also teams like the Lakers, Warriors, and Suns are eyeing Valanciunas. The Clippers will need to offer some valuable assets to "land" him.
American media revealed that the Clippers might use Mann and a first-round draft pick to exchange for Valanciunas. From the Clippers' perspective, this trade is a must, but they must also proceed cautiously.
The team's only available first-round draft pick is already quite precious. If they hastily trade it away, they might miss out on more promising players in the future.
Even with a strong center like Valanciunas, he alone cannot fully address all the Clippers' weaknesses, as the team's core problems on the offensive end remain unsolved.
Some netizens have expressed different opinions: "Although Valanciunas' addition will enhance the Clippers' paint strength, relying solely on him may not be enough to turn around the overall situation of the Clippers. Moreover, the team still needs outside shooters to fill the void left by Harden. If this trade is ultimately concluded, it may be a short-term enhancement, but if it only solves one problem while others remain unresolved, the Clippers will continue to face challenges." This view does make sense. Valanciunas' addition can improve the paint, but the Clippers' lack of outside firepower is equally severe. How to supplement their outside scoring will be the next challenge for the Clippers.
Another netizen pointed out: "Although the Clippers' current lineup lacks Harden's core role, if they can strengthen their lineup through trades, the team may not be completely out of the game. Mann and a first-round draft pick are acceptable costs for the Clippers, especially since first-round draft picks do not necessarily yield players who can contribute immediately. A player like Valanciunas, with immediate combat capability, can bring more tangible help to the team in critical moments." From this perspective, the Clippers actually have little time to wait for future drafts. They need to quickly resolve their current issues, especially as the threshold for the playoffs draws near.
Currently, negotiations regarding the trade are ongoing, and whether the Clippers can successfully acquire Valanciunas remains to be seen. However, it is certain that if this trade succeeds, it will not only enhance the Clippers' toughness in the paint but also provide the team with certain strategic advantages.
Especially when facing fast counter-attacking teams like the Thunder, a solid defense in the paint will become a significant guarantee for the Clippers in the game.
As the impact of Harden's injury gradually becomes apparent, the Clippers' future prospects remain uncertain. If the trade can be implemented in time, the Clippers' paint may find some hope, but the team's overall problems have not been resolved.
The outcome of this game may allow everyone to see more clearly that the Clippers still need more operations and adjustments to meet future challenges.