I, for one, would be ecstatic to get Lou Williams here. He fits into the Hayward DPE and could be resigned in the offseason. But are the Clippers willing to trade him? And at what cost? He's one of the most attractive guys who may presumably hit the trade market this month.
As everyone knows, the Clippers pick the Cs own is lottery protected in 2019, and then in 2020. Should it not render in those years, it becomes a 2022 2nd rounder.
The Paper Clips playoff prospects in both 2019 and 2020 are pretty foggy. They have a lot of money committed to Griffin and Gallinari over those two seasons, which is... suboptimal. This summer they may lose Jordan, Austin Rivers and Williams for nothing if they're not traded. And if they're signed? A nice looking cap picture for the summer of 2019 starts to look dubious, yet with a core that's struggling to win anyway. Doc Rivers, IMO, is also a near term flight risk (for better or for worse).
Yet Ballmer will certainly be financially aggressive, they have Jerry West consulting, and LA is always an attractive destination for FAs. Could they hang in the 4-8 area of the West in those years? Maybe, but it's not a safe bet.
Back to the pick ~~ Few teams will see value in acquiring it, considering both the risk in both time, and potential slot degradation. So which team might be most bullish about its prospects? The Clippers of course.
The Clips have a shortage of 1st round picks in upcoming drafts. And they'd be unlikely to bet against themselves as unable to make the playoffs in both 2019 and 2020. So unless the Cs choose to trade it, where would it's use be most valuable? The Clippers may value that pick far more than any other team.
I'd like to see Ainge attach it to the DPE in acquiring Lou Williams. It's increasingly difficult to get 1st round picks for expiring contracts in today's NBA, so a pick in the 15-25 range of 2019 or 2020 represents respectable value for a Williams rental. And yet for the Cs, who may very well see the Clips as unlikely to be able too hang in the west in coming years, it could very well be a steal.
As everyone knows, the Clippers pick the Cs own is lottery protected in 2019, and then in 2020. Should it not render in those years, it becomes a 2022 2nd rounder.
The Paper Clips playoff prospects in both 2019 and 2020 are pretty foggy. They have a lot of money committed to Griffin and Gallinari over those two seasons, which is... suboptimal. This summer they may lose Jordan, Austin Rivers and Williams for nothing if they're not traded. And if they're signed? A nice looking cap picture for the summer of 2019 starts to look dubious, yet with a core that's struggling to win anyway. Doc Rivers, IMO, is also a near term flight risk (for better or for worse).
Yet Ballmer will certainly be financially aggressive, they have Jerry West consulting, and LA is always an attractive destination for FAs. Could they hang in the 4-8 area of the West in those years? Maybe, but it's not a safe bet.
Back to the pick ~~ Few teams will see value in acquiring it, considering both the risk in both time, and potential slot degradation. So which team might be most bullish about its prospects? The Clippers of course.
The Clips have a shortage of 1st round picks in upcoming drafts. And they'd be unlikely to bet against themselves as unable to make the playoffs in both 2019 and 2020. So unless the Cs choose to trade it, where would it's use be most valuable? The Clippers may value that pick far more than any other team.
I'd like to see Ainge attach it to the DPE in acquiring Lou Williams. It's increasingly difficult to get 1st round picks for expiring contracts in today's NBA, so a pick in the 15-25 range of 2019 or 2020 represents respectable value for a Williams rental. And yet for the Cs, who may very well see the Clips as unlikely to be able too hang in the west in coming years, it could very well be a steal.