NBA Trade Deadline 2020: 5 teams who should be chasing Robert Covington

DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 4: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks hugs Robert Covington #33 of the Minnesota Timberwolves after the game on December 04, 2019 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 13: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers and Robert Covington #33 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reach for the ball during the game on December 13, 2019 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers went all-in this summer when they traded five (!) first-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Paul George, which in turn convinced Kawhi Leonard to sign with them in free agency.

With George and Leonard both able to opt out following the 2020-21 season, the Clippers should only double down on their title push at the trade deadline.

Covington may seem like an unnecessary luxury for a Clippers team with standout wing defenders such as Leonard and George, but there’s no such thing as having too many options to throw at LeBron James, James Harden or Giannis Antetokounmpo in a potential playoff series. Adding him to the mix could also ease the burden on the rest of the Clippers whenever Leonard or George sit throughout the remainder of the regular season.

The Clippers have Moe Harkless’ expiring $11 million contract to offer as the salary-matching ballast for a Covington trade, and they can also trade their 2020 first-round pick. They have two second-rounders from the Detroit Pistons in 2021 and 2023 to offer as well, although they can’t trade another first-rounder beyond their 2020 pick because of the Stepien Rule.

The Clippers might prefer to add more frontcourt help or a traditional ball-handler to address the biggest perceived weaknesses of their team, especially knowing they may have to face James, Anthony Davis and the supersized Lakers at some point in the playoffs. But if they instead prefer to fortify one of their biggest strengths, adding Covington would give them the league’s most terrifying defensive wing tandem.

The question is whether Harkless’ expiring contract and what figures to be a late first-rounder in a weak draft class is enough to get the Timberwolves to bite. If not, the Clippers might be out of luck considering how much they already gave up to acquire George.

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