Fade Clippers Futures as Team Reportedly Could Be Sellers at Deadline

Get off of all your Los Angeles Clippers futures as fast as you can, because it looks like the Clippers are going to be sellers at the trade deadline. 

According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, Los Angeles is preparing for Paul George to be out for the rest of the season. Now, it’s likely the Clippers trade some of their veteran pieces for draft picks in order to compensate for the ones lost in the George trade.

George’s original timetable was 3-4 weeks due to a torn UCL in his elbow, but things have changed now. If George does remain on the sideline for the rest of the season, it changes the entire plan of action for the rest of the season.

There were rumors that Kawhi Leonard could possibly make his return this year. Yet if George is out and/or the Clippers are destined for a play-in exit, there is no reason to rush Leonard back.

Los Angeles is 21-21 and is currently eighth in the Western conference. WynnBET has the Clippers odds to win the title at +2500, which is only slightly different from the +2000 odds they had to open the season. The chances of them winning a championship can go out the window, with their only hope for success now coming through the play-in.

In the 10 games since George went down, the Clippers’ defense has held up. They are 10th in the league in defensive rating. It’s the offense that’s letting them down. Los Angeles is 26th in the league in offensive rating. That puts them above only the Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, Oklahoma Thunder and Detroit Pistons. Offensively, there isn’t much this team can do and that puts a cap on what their ceiling is. 

The Clippers came into this season hoping to stay relevant and wait for Leonard’s return in hopes of a playoff run. Now, it’s another year of waiting until next year.