Eliminated: LAC is out, knee-jerk trades and solutions

[Foshan]

So i thought this could be fun as each team gets knocked out. Especially at a time in which fans of said eliminated teams are thinking very clearly

So where does LAC go from here?

[eminence]

Don't think there's really anything major to do, hope Kawhi comes back on a new, long-term deal. Hope Reggie will sign at the number they can give him (I want to say something like 10M/yr?). Same for Batum. I kinda expect them both to be back, least sure on Kawhi. After that not many options outside of running it back. Honestly the roster is fairly well balanced already and they have no draft assets to improve it to speak of.

If Kawhi does decide to go elsewhere, then there may be bigger plans to discuss, as I think they convincingly showed to still be a solid team even without him. Extra cap would make it easier to retain Jackson/Batum and possibly still have enough to get another notable piece? Probably a 3rd guy (behind PG/Jackson) with some perimeter creation abilities. Could a guy like Fournier be in range?

Jackson/Beverley
Mann/Kennard
PG
Morris/Batum
Zubac/Ibaka

Is not a bad roster even if the best they can do is just bring everybody minus Kawhi back.

[ejftw]

I was hoping this thread wouldn't exist this season

[Boneman2]

I have always believed that Lue rode LeBron's coattails but now, I have to admit, Tyronn coached his ass off.

I'm convinced that if Kawhi was healthy, the Clips would have won it all. However, if he can't stay healthy Frank has to consider bringing in someone who can.

Just to throw it out there:

What about Kawhi + filler for Simmons, Thybulle, '21 1st, '23 1st (top ten)

If Kawhi could stay relatively healthy, he and Embid could do some damage.

[sfballa13]

I have always believed that Lue rode LeBron's coattails but now, I have to admit, Tyronn coached his ass off.

I'm convinced that if Kawhi was healthy, the Clips would have won it all. However, if he can't stay healthy Frank has to consider bringing in someone who can.

Just to throw it out there:

What about Kawhi + filler for Simmons, Thybulle, '21 1st, '23 1st (top ten)

If Kawhi could stay relatively healthy, he and Embid could do some damage.

Imagine Kawhi-Embiid vs Kyrie-KD-Harden in the ECF

[TheNewEra]

Here we go. Probably want to get more bounce and younger on the backup spare rotation spots. As mentioned try to get Klaw, Jackson and Batum back.

-Push Rondo to retire and take over for Billups

-Let Boogie and Patterson walk or just bring Boogie back cheap

-Make sure you nail the 25th pick and look to buy another 1st rounder if possible

- two way toughness with some youth at tweener PF/C and PG/SG

I would try to move up in the draft and maybe even use Oturu.

[LarsV8]

Obviously they need John Wall

[loserX]

The bad news is that their options are fairly limited (assuming not blowing up any major pieces).

The good news is that they don't really need to do a lot more than stay healthy.

Pitch all your FAs (and POs) on "we have unfinished business". I suspect that will work on Kawhi (especially if you offer him a new deal at whatever number he wants ) and Ibaka. Less sure about Reggie and Batum, who might take advantage of a soft FA market to get paid more, maybe significantly more, than the Bird-rights-less Clippers can.

Need to make a serious assessment of Kennard. Can he be what they are expecting, and paying, him to be?

I'd also like to see them use their pick (the last they can trade for a while!) to get an upgrade on Beverley. I know he has veteran presence etc. etc. but I'm not sure he's really providing anything they're not already getting from better players.

Easier versions:
Beverley+pick for Rubio?
Beverley for Bledsoe+2nds?

Crazy version:
Kennard+Beverley+Rondo for Kemba+Kenrich Williams? Probably best with extra teams, since maybe someone else would rather have Kennard (and I know how Thunder fans feel about Beverley). Maybe Dallas is the 3rd team? They can trade Richardson (if he opts in) for Kennard, and if they feel like it can negotiate Powell for Beverley and see what that takes.

[bondom34]

This one seems like a "run it back and get healthy" team. Maybe upgrade a ball handler or big, but mostly the same. I like LoserX's ideas for ball handler, big man would be a signing for a cheaper depth guy behind Zubac.

[ejftw]

Please no to Bledsoe, Wall, Westbrook and Kemba.

I doubt Kawhi leaves, offer Reggie a 2/20 with year 2 being a PO to secure his bird rights and then give him a bloated 2 year-deal as a thank you. I love Chuck's idea of Rondo (to a third team) + Kennard (to Sac) + 25 (?) for Hield + a high second (from third team). He had OKC but any other cap team could work to take Rondo's expiring and it allows Sac to save about ~9.5M for Holmes. I also keep Coffey on a full deal (can't two-way him again), deal Oturu for a middling second to take Filip Petrusev and keep him stashed for two years.

I also doubt Ibaka opts out after being injured and missing the playoffs.

Use the high second on Dosonmu/Nix/Cooper or Robinson-Earl (insurance for Batum).

Then, load manage the **** out of the season.

[TheNewEra]

I don’t see Ibaka opting out with nerve damage in his back but no telling how his recovery timeline goes. With that yeah we need some help and just in case piece.

Wouldn’t waste the pick on a player unless a massive upgrade. Kemba injury concern isn’t worth it, Not sure how much of a difference Rubio can really give and Bledsoe is Bledsoe

[Mavrelous]

PatBev/Rondo for Hield/Delon Wright
Use TPMLE to re-sign Batum, he was their 3rd most valuable player.
Complete the roster with vet mins.
Wright/Kennard
Hield/Mann
PG/Mann
Kawhi/Morris/Batum
Zubac/Ibaka/Batum

That's a very deep and strong roster (very expensive also)
If you can work LoserX trade of exprining+1st for Rubio, go for it.

[Slava]

What are the positive trade value pieces here, outside of PG? Morris and Zubac? Add Pat Beverley to that and it makes a sizeable salary to aggregate into trades. If Sixers want to regain some flexibility, that might get you close to Tobias Harris.

[TheNewEra]

PatBev/Rondo for Hield/Delon Wright
Use TPMLE to re-sign Batum, he was their 3rd most valuable player.
Complete the roster with vet mins.
Wright/Kennard
Hield/Mann
PG/Mann
Kawhi/Morris/Batum
Zubac/Ibaka/Batum

That's a very deep and strong roster (very expensive also)
If you can work LoserX trade of exprining+1st for Rubio, go for it.

Seems kind of repetitive to have Kennard and Buddy right? I do like the idea of getting Wright

[Mavrelous]

Clippers looked best in small lineup shooting 3s, and you're losing Reggie (I assume Kennard will fill his role), You're gonna need depth, Kawhi will load manage more next season, Hield is a good talent that's on overpaid contract and can be had for expiring, not many talents like that around the league.

[Texas Chuck]

I was hoping this thread wouldn't exist this season

Give your guys some real credit. This thread easily could have been 3 weeks ago and they showed all the heart you could want--right up to PatBev going full Andrew Bynum at the end there.

To me that level of compete, and Ty Lue showing he could find almost all the answers would make me feel really good about next year assuming Kawhi sticks around as expected and is healthy for the entire playoffs.

I know it sucks today, and the expectations the past 2 years have been championships, but some small tweaks and they are still as dangerous as anybody in the West.

[Texas Chuck]

Step 1 -- sign Reggie Jackson to the biggest 1+PO contract you can with a wink wink nod we'll give you a raise next year when you opt out and have full Bird's. Not sure he takes that risk, but his shotmaking would be a loss and retaining him allows them to use their matching salary guys to fill other needs.

[MoneyTalks41890]

Step 1 -- sign Reggie Jackson to the biggest 1+PO contract you can with a wink wink nod we'll give you a raise next year when you opt out and have full Bird's. Not sure he takes that risk, but his shotmaking would be a loss and retaining him allows them to use their matching salary guys to fill other needs.

Early bird rights so 120% of the min, right? NY will give him more imo.

RJ also does this thing where he shows out and then disappears for the next 100 games.

Does anyone think there’s a realistic chance Kawhi leaves? Hard to conceptualize

[nykballa2k4]

Please no to Bledsoe, Wall, Westbrook and Kemba.

I doubt Kawhi leaves, offer Reggie a 2/20 with year 2 being a PO to secure his bird rights and then give him a bloated 2 year-deal as a thank you. I love Chuck's idea of Rondo (to a third team) + Kennard (to Sac) + 25 (?) for Hield + a high second (from third team). He had OKC but any other cap team could work to take Rondo's expiring and it allows Sac to save about ~9.5M for Holmes. I also keep Coffey on a full deal (can't two-way him again), deal Oturu for a middling second to take Filip Petrusev and keep him stashed for two years.

I also doubt Ibaka opts out after being injured and missing the playoffs.

Use the high second on Dosonmu/Nix/Cooper or Robinson-Earl (insurance for Batum).

Then, load manage the **** out of the season.

Rondo, Bev, Zubac, Kennard, cash (possibly SRP[s]) for Wood, Gordon, Bradley (TO accepted) Augustine.
Rockets get out of some salary on 30+ vets. Rondo/Bev can be bought out and go wherever they want. Kennard is a shooter who can just blend in with whoever is drafted. Zubac is actually younger than Wood so that's a good fit.
Gordon can be a good player off the bench albeit overpaid. Bradley replaces what Bev does, has familiarity with Lue from Boston. Wood brings a different look at C, more small-ballish, Augustine would plug in as a back up pg.
Assuming this deal and a good FA period:
Wood/Cousins/McGee/Oturu
Morris/Ibaka/Batum
Kawhi/
George/Gordon/Mann
Jackson/Bradley/Augustine/Ferrell

Not a bad spread of talent. Oturu I think can be made into a 2WP if someone better is picked in the draft.

[loserX]

Please no to Bledsoe, Wall, Westbrook and Kemba.

I doubt Kawhi leaves, offer Reggie a 2/20 with year 2 being a PO to secure his bird rights and then give him a bloated 2 year-deal as a thank you.

I don't think you can offer Reggie anywhere near that much. You don't have his Bird rights and you're well into the tax, so AFAIK the most you can offer is the taxpayer MLE, which is $5.9M to start. Not sure he settles for that.