NBA Trade Deadline Primer: 15 Potential Fits for Clippers
The Feb. 8 trade deadline is right around the corner and the Clippers could still have a move up their sleeve.
Well, it’s trade season.
It’s never easy when accounting for the fact that these are people who will see their names in rumors and fictional trade machinations over the next 10 or so days as we careen toward the Feb. 8 trade deadline.
While some people fawn over and pour through various trade machines across all hours of the day and night, we’re just here to look at 15 players that could potentially fit on the LA Clippers should the team opt to make a deal.
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank has made a trade on or near the deadline for seven consecutive seasons, so the likelihood of a deal is high considering track record.
What we won’t be doing is assessing what it would take, from an outgoing player standpoint, to get said players but rather just look at why that player would make sense for the team. The semantics of how it’d work from a financial standpoint are best left to those who make the true wheelin’ and dealin’.
So, if you see a name listed, just keep in mind that there’s no sourced report from yours truly linking the Clippers to that player unless otherwise stated. We’re focusing purely on on-court or financial fits for the Clippers as they look to not only compete for the franchise’s first-ever championship but also navigate the complexities of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
01.) Kelly Olynyk | FC | Utah Jazz
Age: 32
2023-24 Salary: $12,195,122
Contract Status: UFA in 2024
The veteran big man’s name was first thrown around, at least in regards to the Clippers, during a recent episode of “The Lowe Post” featuring its namesake Zach Lowe and ESPN’s Tim MacMahon in which Lowe mentioned (around the 10-minute mark) that Kelly Olynyk would make sense for a team such as the Clippers. Here’s the exchange (emphasis mine):
Zach Lowe: “Here’s the point that I’ve reached with [Utah]. Their trade of Mike Conley last year was a death blow to their own team and they knew it. They were not surprised that that was the case. I don’t know what role player trade would have a similar impact on their current team. It would maybe be Olynyk, who’s got interest, like, I mentioned the Clippers as an Olynyk team last week. There’s gonna be a million teams interested in him. … And Olynyk, he’s an expiring, he has value. Can you trade him and it’s not, like, crippling to your second unit? … Maybe.”
Tim MacMahon: “You mentioned Olynyk. There’s a ton of teams that would love to have Kelly Olynyk. I was talking to somebody with the Jazz who said, ‘Everybody wants Kelly Olynyk. That doesn’t mean someone’s going to pay what it takes to get him.’ There ain’t gonna be a bake sale — we can guarantee that — if they’re making trades for value.”
Zach Lowe: “If they get offered a good first for Kelly Olynyk — not like a Top-15 protected [first-round pick] — if they get offered a good first, you have to think about it, and I think they could cobble enough together to kinda replace his role on the team. But other than that, I like this [Utah] team.”
Olynyk would supply the Clippers with a very unique style of basketball thanks to his long-range shooting, efficient around-the-basket game, and ability to facilitate in a variety of ways including but not limited to at the high-post area as an offensive hub with players moving all around him. Olynyk is a smart player. He’d fit right in as either a backup four or even small-ball five should the team want to embrace a five-out style with a more modern-looking big on the floor thanks to Olynyk’s 6-foot-11, 240-pound frame. Olynyk is in the final year of a three-year, $37.2 million deal and is set to be an unrestricted free agent.
02.) Chris Boucher | FC | Toronto Raptors
Age: 31
2023-24 Salary: $11,750,000
Contract Status: 2024-25 ($10,810,000), UFA in 2025
The lone holdover from Toronto’s 2019 title team, Chris Boucher is a rather intriguing trade option. The 31-year-old is averaging his fewest minutes since 2019-20 and is in year two of a three-year, $35.25 million deal with the Raptors. A lot of Boucher’s value comes in what he theoretically can do — stretch the floor, block shots, rebound, etc. But the on-court stuff hasn’t matched that entirely. Still, if the Clippers are looking for a low-stress hybrid big who can play the four and potentially the five, they could do worse than Boucher.
03.) Deni Avdija | F | Washington Wizards
Age: 23
2023-24 Salary: $6,263,188 (PPP)
Contract Status: 2024-25 ($15,625,000), 2025-26 ($14,375,000), 2026-27 ($13,125,000), 2027-28 ($11,875,000), UFA in 2028
There’s been nothing linking forward Deni Avdija to the trade block as far as the Washington Wizards are concerned. However, should the Wizards be unable to find any takers for Kyle Kuzma ($90 million) or Jordan Poole ($128 million), who are both in the first years of brand-new four-year deals, then the cost-cutting could land on Avdija. The 23-year-old could help a team both now and in the future due to his versatility as a forward, his defense, and his all-around game while being locked into a long-term deal that Washington might consider getting off of while likely nabbing a first-round pick in return.
The complication is that Avdija is subject to the “Poison Pill provision” since he signed a rookie scale contract extension this summer, meaning his outgoing salary to the Wizards would be $6.3 million while his incoming salary to the team that acquires him would be, for salary-matching purposes, $12.3 million. It makes Avdija hard to trade for but not impossible. As an aside, former Clippers general manager Michael Winger is the president of Monumental Basketball, the group that oversees the Washington Wizards.
04.) Grant Williams | F | Dallas Mavericks
Age: 25
2023-24 Salary: $12,405,000
Contract Status: 2024-25 ($13,025,250), 2025-26 ($13,645,500), 2026-27 ($14,265,750), UFA in 2027
While it might be shocking to see Grant Williams’ name on this list since he just signed as a free agent with the Dallas Mavericks this summer, the 6-foot-6 forward hasn’t had the most impactful of debuts with a new team after inking a lucrative four-year contract. Factoring in Dallas’ penchant for attempting to avoid the luxury tax in recent times — last season was the first time they went into the luxury tax since 2011-12, according to resident NBA capologist Mark Deeks — you can see a world where navigating life with Luka Doncic’s current five-year, $215.2 deal and Kyrie Irving’s three-year, $120 million one could be tough, thus leading to some hard decisions to be made — even as early as the first year into a new deal.
05.) Obi Toppin | F | Indiana Pacers
Age: 25
2023-24 Salary: $6,803,012
Contract Status: RFA in 2024
Per ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, forward Obi Toppin is one of several players from the Indiana Pacers who has been made available as the trade deadline approaches. It’s understandable to see why. The Pacers recently acquired soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Pascal Siakam from Toronto, meaning a long-term salary commitment will be upcoming. Center Myles Turner is locked into a deal that has another year on it while stellar guard Tyrese Haliburton inked a five-year extension this summer that could rise to well over $200 million. With Toppin set for restricted free agency and not a guaranteed starter, the 25-year-old could be the odd man out for a team that hasn’t paid the luxury tax since 2005-06.
06.) Dorian Finney-Smith | F | Brooklyn Nets
Age: 30
2023-24 Salary: $13,394,160
Contract Status: 2024-25 ($14,386,320), 2025-26 ($15,378,480 PLYR OPT), UFA in 2026
If you think that players getting traded in the first year of new deals is something that just doesn’t happen, well, we come to Dorian Finney-Smith. The forward signed a four-year extension with the Dallas Mavericks in February 2022 and then was dealt one year later to land Kyrie Irving. Finney-Smith is in year two of that four-year contract, one in which the 30-year-old holds a player option in the fourth and final year of that deal. While the asking price about a week ago was reportedly two first-round picks, it could ease by the deadline. Finney-Smith is a versatile defender and spot-up shooter.
07.) Matisse Thybulle | SF | Portland Trail Blazers
Age: 26
2023-24 Salary: $10,500,000
Contract Status: 2024-25 ($11,025,000), 2025-26 ($11,550,000 PLYR OPT)
Two things tend to happen near the deadline: (1) bad teams shed long-term salaries to maintain summer flexibility, or (2) bad teams take on long-term salaries to recoup picks. Matisse Thybulle has a long-term salary due to Portland matching an offer sheet that was given to him by Dallas this offseason. As a result, Thybulle has the right to veto any trade during this present season and cannot be traded to Dallas at all. Thybulle has a player option in the final year of this three-year deal and is still a disruptive defender who has been knocking down 3s at a career-high rate. With Portland tied to lucrative long-term deals for Deandre Ayton, Jerami Grant, and Anfernee Simons, perhaps Thybulle is someone they move for savings.
08.) Robert Williams III | C | Portland Trail Blazers
Age: 26
2023-24 Salary: $11,571,429
Contract Status: 2024-25 ($12,428,571), 2025-26 ($13,285,713)
Might as well lump Robert Williams III into this since we just discussed Matisse Thybulle at length. Williams only played six games for Portland due to season-ending knee surgery after being acquired by the Trail Blazers in the Jrue Holiday deal this offseason. With Williams’ injury history and contract situation — two more years at $12.4 million and $13.3 million, respectively — there’s a chance Portland would be willing to listen should a team come calling. It’d be a very risky proposition for the Clippers, but the upside, especially as a bench big in future seasons, is there despite the injury woes. The only issue is this would be his lowest value and would lead Portland to not getting the value they otherwise would.
09.) Doug McDermott | F | San Antonio Spurs
Age: 32
2023-24 Salary: $13,750,000
Contract Status: UFA in 2024
While Victor Wembanyama has been a standout for the San Antonio Spurs, not many others have risen to the level the young rookie has. But veteran forward Doug McDermott is still chugging along in his 10th NBA season, shooting a career-best on 3s while being a fantastic movement shooter and cutter. McDermott is in the final year of a three-year, $41.25 million deal and would make a quality veteran addition to the Clippers as someone who could be called upon to knock down shots and provide functional spacing.
10.) T.J. McConnell | PG | Indiana Pacers
Age: 31
2023-24 Salary: $8,700,000
Contract Status: 2024-25 ($9,300,000 PART-GTD), UFA in 2025
There’s been nothing linking the Clippers to acquiring another guard. However, veteran point man T.J. McConnell is the type of player who can fill a variety of roles as a calming voice and potential rotational piece next season should some tough offseason choices be made. McConnell’s 2024-25 salary is partially guaranteed for $5 million and becomes fully guaranteed at the full $9.3 million rate the day after the 2024 NBA Draft. That contract would give the Clippers some flexibility in the offseason should they so choose. McConnell is not a floor spacer whatsoever but is one of the best 15-foot-and-in players in the league when adjusting for size. And don’t overlook his inbound thievery.
11.) Wendell Carter Jr. | FC | Orlando Magic
Age: 24
2023-24 Salary: $13,050,000
Contract Status: 2024-25 ($11,950,000), 2025-26 ($10,850,000), UFA in 2026
We’ve talked about luxury tax a few times here, so why not once more? The Orlando Magic haven’t ventured into the luxury tax since 2010-11, per Mark Deeks. And while they aren’t anywhere close to it this season, there’s still a looming potential crunch with upcoming likely extensions for forwards Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, as well as one possibly for guard Jalen Suggs to account for. If the Magic do opt to move on from center Wendell Carter Jr., it’s because they’re no longer sold on his production due to his injury history, and that might not be a bridge too far at this moment in time. Carter has played 60 games just once in his six-year career and Orlando could be looking to get out from the remaining two years and $22.8 million on Carter’s deal as a result.
12.) Cedi Osman | F | San Antonio Spurs
Age: 28
2023-24 Salary: $6,718,842
Contract Status: UFA in 2024
Forward Cedi Osman is in the final year of a four-year, $31.1 million contract that he originally signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers before a three-team trade this past summer landed him in San Antonio. Osman was a casualty of Cleveland acquiring Max Strus from Miami. Osman hasn’t been bad with the Spurs, shooting close to a career-high and performing well on 3s yet again. Osman has a history under both Clippers coach Tyronn Lue and general manager Trent Redden from their time together in Cleveland. Osman would supply the team with more size and wing depth off the bench.
13.) Devonte’ Graham | G | San Antonio Spurs
Age: 28
2023-24 Salary: $12,100,000
Contract Status: 2024-25 ($12,650,000 PART-GTD), UFA in 2025
While we’re on the San Antonio kick here, might as well mention guard Devonte’ Graham. The soon-to-be 29-year-old is not having the best of years as he’s experiencing career lows across the board in points, rebounds, and assists. Graham still has yet to produce a single season in the NBA with at least 40 percent shooting, and his on-court value has diminished to almost non-existent levels after what was a fantastic second season in the league when in Charlotte. Graham is in year three of a four-year, $47.3 million deal. However, the upside to Graham is that contract. Graham’s 2024-25 salary of $12.65 million is only guaranteed for $2.85 million and does not become guaranteed for the full amount until July 1. Any team that acquires Graham could waive him before that date and experience lucrative savings in the luxury tax department, and considering the Clippers already did something similar with Eric Gordon this past summer, Graham would make sense from a financial standpoint for a team looking to curtail cost as they attempt to re-sign all three of their stars.
14.) Landry Shamet | SG | Washington Wizards
Age: 26
2023-24 Salary: $10,250,000
Contract Status: 2024-25 ($11,000,000 NON-GTD), 2025-26 ($11,750,000 TEAM OPT), UFA in 2026
Well here’s a name from Clipper-past. Landry Shamet hasn’t even turned 27 years old yet but feels like he’s been in the league for a long, long time. And he’s been surrounded by a lot of the NBA’s greatest to ever do it. But Shamet now finds himself in Washington following the Bradley Beal deal and is experiencing career lows in minutes, points, and rebounds for a Wizards team that is going nowhere fast. Considering the aforementioned contract situation in Washington when we discussed Deni Avdija, Shamet could find himself in a new home by the deadline. Shamet has another two years and $22.75 million left, but it’s a very, very team-friendly contract. His 2024-25 salary of $11 million is entirely non-guaranteed and doesn’t become fully guaranteed until June 29. His 2025-26 number of $11.75 million is a team option, meaning whoever has Shamet will have two chances to save money should they so choose. It makes Shamet’s contract, at least more than Shamet himself, a vastly intriguing entity for a team looking to cut costs.
15.) Gary Harris | GF | Orlando Magic
Age: 29
2023-24 Salary: $13,000,000
Contract Status: UFA in 2024
The veteran swingman has been in Orlando ever since he was part of the package sent for Aaron Gordon. While the 29-year-old is still a solid shooter and can help a team in the right role, Harris has now missed the last 12 games due to a strained right calf. But, despite that, Harris could hold value to a team looking to acquire him as he’s in the final year of a two-year, $26 million deal and set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. It’s unclear what Harris’ market will look like this summer, but a team looking to get out from a contract could swoop in for Harris to save money this offseason and potentially even re-sign Harris to a cheap deal to see if the former standout can reclaim some of his past game.