The Clippers are pressuring management to act, as there is little chance of winning the championship without reinforcements. It's time to prepare. If management doesn't trade for a backup center, it would send a signal that this is all the Clippers can do this year, and making it to the play-in tournament would be considered a success.
Natural disasters and accidents are inevitable, and the Clippers' management has likely come to terms with the fact that this season will be what it is. Even reaching the play-in tournament would be considered a good outcome; don't expect much in the playoffs.
Management's approach this season seems to be to take things as they come, which is why they let George go without much resistance. The normal strategy should have been similar to when Durant left the Warriors; use George to acquire an immediate contributor like Russell, then make further moves later.
Losing George for nothing is akin to when the Rockets gave up on Howard; it signifies that management has given up on the championship framework, at least for 1-2 years. The team will just have to see how far they can go, but the Rockets had Harden in his prime, so their rebuilding process was faster.
During the summer, the contract offered to Harden by the Clippers was a sign of respect; it was relatively large in the market but not overly expensive. If you're willing to sign, stay and play well; if you want to join a championship contender or leave in the summer, they'll make it easy for you.
Considering Kawhi's current situation, the Clippers shouldn't overextend themselves for the future. Otherwise, if Kawhi decides he can't play, all that investment would be wasted. If management is determined to strengthen the power forward position, they could trade for someone like Bob, add a backup center and a ball-handling organizer off the bench, and if Kawhi stays healthy, the Clippers could go further in the playoffs.
Powell is essential if the Clippers want to achieve results; they wouldn't sacrifice their top scorer, especially one who fills a crucial need for three-point shooting. Even if Kawhi's return doesn't meet expectations, he still provides defensive help. The real opportunity to capitalize on high value is with Mann.
Since the team is focused on developing Porter, with Dunn, Jones joining, and Coffey improving, plus Kawhi's return, there's no room for Mann to play. Trading Tucker and Mann for Collins would only require a first-round pick. Powell might affect Harden's All-Star chances.
The fundamental issue with the knee ligaments has been resolved through surgery, but the knee inflammation is a chronic condition. The main goal now is to reduce the load on Kawhi for the playoffs, as he currently has energy but lacks endurance. Do you understand?
The slow start at the beginning of the season is similar to the previous two years, also due to injuries and the need for time to adjust after a long absence. Now is not the time to focus solely on Kawhi. In the past, injuries occurred when regular playing time was spent guarding heavy frontcourt players or playing small-ball lineups where he had to guard the five spot. That kind of burden is bound to lead to injuries.
That's why Kawhi has been emphasizing the need for a power forward since last season, and why the coach has been stressing the need for a versatile center. How many teams have players and coaches openly asking management to address weaknesses through trades? I'm not worried about anyone else, but I am concerned that Frank won't take targeted measures and do nothing.
In my view, the Clippers' trade options boil down to two decisions: keep Deng, Zu, and Kawhi as the core. 1) Not trading Powell would likely result in minor adjustments, as excellent players are hard to come by. Here are a few useful options: Richards from the Hornets, Smith and Craig from the Bulls (for $2 million), and Sharp from the Nets.
- Trading Powell would allow for acquiring a full-sized power forward with exceptional athleticism (and reliable three-point shooting) or stable three-point shooting plus decent defense. Additionally, a backup point guard capable of significant production would need to be added. Starting with the power forward position: Huang Zhong, Grant, Xiao Qiao, Kuzma, these are the main options. For backup point guards: Clarkson, Brogdon, Russell, Sexton.