Coming off another disappointing season ending, the Clippers are once again rumored to be breaking up their 2 stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Luckily, before the Clippers did so, 76ers star James Harden demanded a trade, with the Clippers being the rumored destination. Will they get James Harden? Also, is it time to buy or sell the Clippers stocks?
1. Moves the Clippers made this Offseason
Resignings
- Russell Westbrook, 2 years/7.8 million, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN
- Mason Plumlee 1 year/5 million, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN
Trades
Clippers Receive: Kenyon Martin Jr.
Rockets Receive: 2 second round picks
Since the Clippers wouldn’t have their pick if they go all in on a rebuild, the Clippers traded 2 second round picks which they don’t value much for power forward Kenyon Martin Jr. in hopes of adding depth.
What was the best contract signed this offseason? This Russell Westbrook contract is certainly in the conversation. The former MVP agreed to a 2 year/8 million contract despite averaging nearly 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists last year as a Clippers. Furthermore, when Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were injured, Russell Westbrook recreated his amazing performances and carried the Clippers. Russell Westbrook had a total of 20 20+ point games, including a 36 points performance against the Grizzlies as a Clippers. That is as much 20 point games as Karl Anthony Towns had last season, who is currently on a 4 year/224 million supermax contract.
James Harden
After former MVP James Harden demanded a trade, he has made it clear that he wants to be a Clipper next season. In response, the Clippers has the assets to actually make it happen. The Clippers have a high chance of getting the man with the most trade demands in NBA history and an all star snub last season, but the decisions on the 76ers, so there may be other possibilities too.
James Harden had a great regular performance last season, leading the entire NBA in assist per game and setting up his teammate Joel Embiid for 33 points per game and an MVP. James Harden could certainly benefit the Clippers as he would fit well with the system and perform consistently in the regular season when one of the stars of the team is injured. However, his playoff performance would be a nightmare for the Clippers. Despite two 40+ point games, last playoff, James Harden melted down again in the elimination game 7.
With this in mind, the most important part of this Harden trade would be three playoff possibilities:
- Playoff Harden melts down with either Kawhi Leonard or Paul George getting injured; this makes a first round exit
- Playoff Harden survives yet the other stars still get injured; this makes a first-round or second-round exit
- Dream Scenario: Playoff Harden stays consistent enough while the other stars stay healthy with Kawhi turning into a playoff beast; this makes a deep playoff run, potentially to the finals
Buy or Sell?
Although it’s hard to predict the ‘unpredictable NBA’, the Clippers might still have a chance next season. Obviously this is what people have said for the past seasons yet it is also why the Clippers always has a solid odd for the championship. So it all comes down to one thing:
No matter if the Clipper get James Harden or not, the most important part is to keep Kawhi Leonard healthy in the playoffs. Even though this is highly unlikely as we’ve seen in the past few seasons, yet it is not totally impossible. However, even if Kawhi, Paul George, and James Harden stays healthy and consistent in the playoffs, which is even more unlikely, they will still have to go through a lot in order to reach the finals.
On the other hand, if things goes like the past few seasons and don’t turn out so perfectly, the Clippers would certainly sell and shake the roster up into a whole new roster. So, the final answer is: You shouldn’t buy on the Clippers, but you can put some hope on them. On the other hand, it is definitely too early to sell on the Clippers.
The League Leader 
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