The 2018 30-team NBA mega-trade that solves nothing and makes everyone mad
By Ian Levy
Los Angeles Clippers
Sending out: DeAndre Jordan (MIL), Lou Williams (WAS), Avery Bradley (OKC)
Bringing in: Jabari Parker (MIL), Ante Zizic (CLE), John Henson (MIL), Cole Aldrich (MIN), E’Twaun Moore (NOP), 2018 Nets first-round pick (CLE)
Here the Clippers finish what they started with the Blake Griffin trade — a complete and total rebuild. Los Angeles send out their three most useful assets — Jordan, Williams and Bradley — and in return get a potential young star, another useful young piece, some filler, and what could be a top-five or top-six pick in this year’s draft.
It still remains to be seen what Parker can be after two ACL surgeries but he has star potential and in Los Angeles doesn’t need to be quite as wing oriented as he was in Milwaukee to offset Giannis’ poor shooting. With Parker’s mid-range game, post-up skills and face-up abilities he could function similar to Blake Griffin and grow into that role. Zizic has barely played for Cleveland this year but he’s young and could be a very good piece as an athletic 7-footer who can run the floor and finish around the rim.
The Nets pick is the real prize here, potentially giving the Clippers two top-10 picks in this year’s loaded draft. That gives them the versatility to target multiple players at complimentary positions or even try to package the picks together and move up higher if there is a specific player they covet.