One trade every NBA team needs to make
By Tom West
Minnesota Timberwolves
Of course, Lance Stephenson is far from being the hottest commodity in the 2016 NBA trade market, but just wait a second. The Clippers and Timberwolves may be able to help each other out in this instance, and find shooting guards they may both look to play with more consistency.
In this instance, the teams could try a Lance Stephenson-Kevin Martin swap.
It doesn’t sound like an amazing trade and that’s because it isn’t, although neither of these teams are going to be making blockbuster moves before the deadline. Blake Griffin won’t be traded and the Timberwolves don’t have many expendable assets.
Stephenson has picked up a few more minutes lately, delivering a couple of good performances over the last week (specifically 16 points against the Lakers on 6-of-7 shooting and 13 points on 6-of-6 shooting to help the Clippers past the Magic). He’s never really fit in since leaving Indiana, but he’s an athletic, energetic playmaker who plays defense. He can still make a difference somewhere. However, after placing him at the bottom of his rotation all season, it’s unlikely Doc Rivers suddenly has big plans for Lance.
Meanwhile, Martin has also received few minutes himself for a couple of months now, if he hasn’t just received a DNP instead. If the Timberwolves aren’t going to play him, why not take a risk on a younger player like Stephenson? If it doesn’t work out, they can use his team option for 2016-17 to ditch his $9 million salary, while losing Martin’s hefty $7.3 million salary in the process.
It’s a risk that will have minimal repercussions for the Timberwolves and Martin can make a difference in L.A. with his 36 percent three-point shooting.
Of course, it would be preferable to see Doc give Stephenson a chance as he’s playing well. He’s starting to really earn a role, but if the Clippers don’t see him in that light, this could be a trade that they can actually pull off to bring someone in return.
Next: Phoenix Suns