Latest news with #Clippers
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Revisiting Clippers trading Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to the Thunder: Is it the worst NBA trade of all time?
After securing his first NBA MVP award this month, Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued to hammer home the notion that the Los Angeles Clippers' decision to trade him in 2019 is one of the worst of all time. When the Clippers traded Gilgeous-Alexander in the summer of 2019, they thought they had made a move that turned them into a title contender for the next few seasons. They had just signed two-time NBA champion Kawhi Leonard in NBA free agency, and the superstar forward wanted an All-Star running mate for his time in Los Angeles. Advertisement Also Read: NBA games today – Get a look at the upcoming NBA playoffs schedule Moving Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Galinari, and seven future round picks and/or swaps made sense for a desperate franchise trying to compete with in-city rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers. Was it an overpay? Yes. But on paper, Leonard and George would turn them into contenders. And they did, when they were healthy. However, the reason why the Clippers' trading Gilgeous-Alexander is among the worst of all-time isn't so much about the failures of George and Leonard to stay healthy. But more about it, setting up a potential dynasty for the Thunder, that could still get stronger in the years ahead. What did the Clippers trade for Paul George? In the trade that created two very different trajectories for the two franchises, the Los Angeles Clippers got a 29-year-old Paul George in his prime and with six All-Star games on his resume. Below is a rundown of what the Oklahoma City Thunder got in return for George. Advertisement Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Danilo Gallinari 2021 first-round pick (became Tre Mann) 2022 first-round pick (became Jalen Williams) 2023 first-round pick (became Jaime Jaquez Jr.) 2023 first-round pick swap, 2024 first-round draft pick (became Dillon Jones) 2025 first-round pick swap 2026 first-round pick Obviously, this is all hindsight, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander immediately became a building block talent for the Clippers in 2019-20. By his fourth season in OKC, he was an All-Star. He has earned All-Star honors in the two seasons since, and is now the reigning MVP. Furthermore, he has spearheaded the Thunder's rise to elite status as a serious contender to win an NBA title next month. However, he hasn't done it alone. Jalen Williams is the second-best player on the roster, and he came in that deal with the Clippers. He was the player the Thunder selected with LA's first-round pick in 2022. Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams are evolving into a modern-day version of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. They could make the Thunder the league's next dynasty team, and they both wouldn't be in OKC without that trade happening. Furthermore, the Thunder have used that pick swap this year and will be on the clock at 15, instead of 30 in the NBA Draft. And they get LA's top pick next year. That is an already strong trade return that can still get even better. Was the Clippers' Shai-Gilgeous Alexander trade the worst in NBA history? Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Was the Clippers trade that sent Gilgeous-Alexander to the Thunder the worst of all time? No. But it is probably top five after SGA won MVP. If they win a title next month, it is most certainly the top five worst ever. What is interesting in this deal is that over time, it could eventually take the No. 1 spot. Advertisement If the Thunder do become an NBA dynasty and win two or three titles, SGA wins two or three MVPs, and Jalen Williams is a multi-time All-Star it will be very hard to argue 10 years from now that the Clippers have not only had some of the worst No. 1 picks of all time, but they will have the worst trade in NBA history. Also Read:: 50 Best NBA players right now: Where do Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson land in 2025?
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
NBA trade rumor: Los Angeles Clippers eye Jrue Holiday to build elite backcourt with Harden
(Image Source - Getty Images) The Los Angeles Clippers are creating a stir in the NBA trade rumor world as they aim to acquire Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday. With James Harden expected to stick around in Los Angeles, the Clippers are considering ways to enhance their backcourt, and Holiday's championship experience along with his defensive skills make him a prime target. Clippers revisit Jrue Holiday pursuit amid Celtics' financial constraints The Clippers have had their eye on Jrue Holiday for a while now. Back in 2023, they tried to get him but lost out to the Celtics, who sent Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, and a couple of future first-round picks to the Portland Trail Blazers for Holiday. Now, with the Celtics dealing with hefty luxury tax penalties—over $40 million into the luxury tax and $20 million into the second apron—they might be more willing to trade high-salary guys like Holiday to ease their financial burden. Holiday, who has won the NBA championship twice and made the All-Defensive Team six times, put up averages of 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in the 2024–25 regular season. His defensive abilities and leadership could really enhance Harden's scoring skills, forming a strong backcourt partnership for the Clippers. To make a trade happen, the Clippers could think about putting together a deal that features players like Bogdan Bogdanovic ($16 million salary) and Drew Eubanks ($4.75 million), plus a young talent like Jordan Miller or Cam Christie to balance the salaries. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Killer New Toyota 4Runner Is Utter Perfection (Take A Look) MorninJoy But whether the Celtics would go for this kind of offer would hinge on how they view the potential and compatibility of the new players with their team. For the Celtics, moving Holiday could ease their financial burden and give them a chance to nurture younger players, particularly since star Jayson Tatum is likely to be out for most or all of the upcoming season due to injury. Even without Tatum, the Celtics are feeling good about their competitiveness, highlighting the team's depth and resilience. Also Read: Kevin Durant's focused glance at Cameron Brink has basketball fans talking The Clippers are back on the Jrue Holiday train, which fits perfectly with their aim to create a championship-worthy team around James Harden. On the flip side, the Celtics might consider trading Holiday as a smart move to handle their finances and focus on the team's future. As the NBA offseason rolls on, this possible trade is definitely something to keep an eye on, as it could have big effects for both teams. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Underrated 2025 Free Agents: Amir Coffey Is The NBA's Best Kept Secret
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Amir Coffey #7 of the LA Clippers celebrates his basket and a ... More foul from Dyson Daniels #5 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Intuit Dome on January 04, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by) USER IS NOT PERMITTED TO DOWNLOAD OR USE IMAGE WITHOUT PRIOR 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. (Photo by) With the 2024-25 season nearing its conclusion, it is time to start looking ahead to the offseason. In this article series, we will take a look at under-the-radar options in the 2025 Free Agency Pool. For the sake of simplicity, we are going to focus primarily on unrestricted free agents. In their grueling seven-game series with the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Clippers played nine guys meaningful minutes. None of those minutes were allocated to Amir Coffey, though. Heck, Coffey didn't even check in during garbage time, making him the only active player not to see a single second of action in that series. So, why on Earth is Coffey being coined as 'The NBA's Best Kept Secret?" Before the All-Star break, Coffey was a fixture in the Clippers' rotation – averaging 25.9 minutes per game (51 games). However, after a busy trade deadline, Coffey started to fall in the depth chart, getting just 20.1 MPG after the break (21 games). He averaged a season-low 18.9 MPG during the month of March. This wasn't because Coffey was bad. Rather, the reinforcements the Clippers added were just really good (his untimely knee injury didn't help matters either). All nine of the guys who played ahead of him were consistent starters/high-level bench players as recently as 2023-24. Specifically, the Clippers had a logjam on the wings. Kawhi Leonard and Bogdan Bogdanovic were obviously going to play. And then they also had to fit in Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. – the former being one of the best perimeter defenders on the planet (99th percentile Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus), and the latter was fresh off starting every playoff game for the 2024 Western Conference Champion Dallas Mavericks. That's all without mentioning Nicolas Batum – one of the most reliable complimentary players of the last decade-plus. As for not playing garbage time, that was likely a sign of respect from head coach Tyronn Lue and his staff – not wanting Coffey to pick up an unnecessary injury that could mitigate his earning potential in free agency. Being stuck in one of the most crowded wing/forward rooms in the entire league shouldn't be held against Coffey. When he did get an opportunity, he proved to be a quality two-way role player in his own right. In his career, Coffey has taken 800 3-pointers and converted on 38.4% of them. He's also hit 83.7% of his free throws. Those are two promising indicators of his aptitude for spacing the floor for his high-usage teammates. Coffey is also a good midrange shooter (78th percentile efficiency in 2024-25), which gives him a legitimate counter to when teams try to deploy the fly-by closeout against him. This makes his lack of a true drive game far more palatable. Defensive impact metrics like DEF EPM don't look too fondly upon Coffey. However, Coffey is an athletic wing with good size (6'8), and it seems that he excels in areas that are harder for stats like EPM to pick up on. According to BBall Index, Coffey's 2024-25 season ranks in the 96th percentile in their database in Off-Ball Chaser Defense (chasing guys around off-ball screens) and the 93rd percentile in Overall Coverage Versatility. Amir Coffey. He may not generate a ton of steals or blocks, but it does seem like Coffey is a valuable team defender. At the very least, he is an average defender for his position. Imagine how much better off a team like the Los Angeles Lakers or Golden State Warriors would have been with a wing they could trust to hit shots and be a neutral on defense. A player like Coffey would have easily garnered 15-20 minutes of playing time per game on either of their playoff rotations. Based on reporting around the situation, it seems improbable that the Clippers will try to retain Coffey, which means that he'll be a free agent in every sense of the term this offseason. By using my formula for estimating production value, Coffey looks like a player who should get roughly 2.7 million dollars in 2025-26. That is right around the veteran minimum for a player of his level of experience (2.9 million). There is a chance that a team that really sees the vision with Coffey offers him something close to the Bi-Annual Exception (5.1 million), but given how he fell out of the rotation and how tight money is under the new CBA, it seems unlikely that he signs for much more than that. Regardless, Coffey is a low-end starter/high-level bench player that one lucky team is going to land for pennies on the dollar. Now, it's all about which NBA team identifies this diamond hidden in the rough first.
Newsweek
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Wild LaMelo Ball Prediction Could Completely Shift Power in Western Conference
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The NBA is currently in the midst of the postseason, but the offseason is quickly approaching. Once it does, there is going to be an arms race for teams to alter rosters in the hopes of competing for a title next season. More NBA news: Rich Paul Breaks Silence on LeBron James Remaining With Lakers One team that could play a big role in how the offseason shakes out is the Charlotte Hornets. Charlotte has missed the postseason nine straight years, but they have a few players who could be on the move this summer. The Hornets are led by star LaMelo Ball, but the team hasn't gone anywhere. This has many around the league thinking that Ball could be traded this summer if the right deal presents itself. Well, Chicago Bulls star guard Lonzo, LaMelo's brother, gave a wild prediction on his brother, predicting that he would be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. "I lowkey got Dylan Harper going to the Hornets. And I got Melo going to the Clips." 🎙️ Lonzo Ball on @TheWAEShow: "I lowkey got Dylan Harper going to the Hornets. And I got Melo going to the Clips." 🤨 — r/CharlotteHornets on Reddit (@HornetsReddit) May 16, 2025 If LaMelo were traded to the Clippers, it would completely change the structure of power in the Western Conference. LaMelo had a career year before injuries took over, as he averaged 25.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Los Angeles was the No. 5 seed in the West this year and entered the postseason as a sleeper team for the NBA Finals. While the Clippers did get eliminated in the first round, adding a talent like LaMelo could change it all. CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 30: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts in the second quarter during their game against the Toronto Raptors at Spectrum Center on October 30, 2024 in Charlotte, North... CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 30: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts in the second quarter during their game against the Toronto Raptors at Spectrum Center on October 30, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. More Photo byPutting LaMelo alongside James Harden and Kawhi Leonard would give the Clippers a legitimate star trio. The biggest obstacle would be figuring out how to play with Harden and LaMelo both needing the ball. But the Clippers could also allow Harden to walk this summer since he can enter free agency. There have already been reports about Harden opting out of his deal with the Clippers. Read more: James Harden Reportedly Expected to Opt Out of Clippers Contract It remains to be seen how Los Angeles will handle Harden, but many expect him to return to the team after a successful year. The Clippers have multiple routes that they can explore this summer, but Lonzo may know something with this prediction. More NBA news: Timberwolves' Jaden McDaniels Offers Blunt Reason For Hard Fouls on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Knicks Have Major Silver Lining Despite 2-0 Deficit to Pacers Warriors General Manager Seemingly Hints at Plan For Jonathan Kuminga's Future For more Hornets, Clippers, and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Clippers-Nuggets: Game 3 takeaways as LA dominates Denver to take series lead
INGLEWOOD, Calif. − The Los Angeles Clippers trailed for most of the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets before turning things around and giving the home fans something to cheer about after securing a 117-83 victory in the Intuit Dome's playoff debut. After a slow start from Kawhi Leonard, he found a rhythm and helped the Clippers pull away with the Game 3 win to take a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference first-round series. Advertisement Leonard produced a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds. He also had six assists. 'That was like opening night stuff,' Clippers veteran Nicolas Batum said. 'We kind of messed up our (regular season) opening night in October against Phoenix. … (The fans) were amazing, expecting them to be even better on Saturday.' Coach Tyronn Lue and Leonard were among those who also spoke highly about the fan support from the Wall, which is the Clippers-only fan section at the Intuit Dome, and its location near the Nuggets' bench. 'Everybody came out,' Leonard said. 'The Wall was great and cheering all night.' Advertisement The Nuggets led the Clippers for the first 10:30 of the opening period before James Harden's two-point shot from four feet put the Clippers ahead of the Nuggets. The shot put the Clippers ahead 29-28 against the Nuggets with 1:30 left first quarter. It was a lead they wouldn't give up for the rest of the game and used a 13-0 scoring run to bolster a 42-28 lead. Harden had 20 points, nine assists and six rebounds and Norman Powell added to the scoring attack with 20 points of his own. Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard controls the ball as Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter during game two of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Game 3 updates, highlights: Clippers take control of series vs. Nuggets David Adelman comments on Clippers' fan section Fans of the Clippers rallied Wednesday following comments made by Denver Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman. Advertisement Adelman spoke to the reporters regarding 'the Wall' and the arena's sound. 'They have the crowd toward our bench,' Adelman said Wednesday. 'It's like a high school crowd, which is actually really cool. And the other thing is they pump sound in the place. That place is so loud... so that building, it's very loud whether the crowd is cheering or not." Members of the Wall found a horse hat at their seats to wear before the game. Nuggets star Nikola Jokić is known to have a love and passion for horses and harness racing. Adelman was asked during his pregame media availability on Thursday about the horse hat. Advertisement 'That could be a motivational factor. Hopefully, not to go home,' Adelman said. 'I do think it's unique that they're trying this. I think it's really cool. I know people got out of sorts because I said 'pumping noise' or whatever. It's just really loud… I love what they're doing here. 'The NBA needs more of that. More creativity. That's what we used to know when I grew up… I miss that, so it will be cool to be a part of it.' NBA AWARDS FINALISTS ARE IN: MVP, rookie, defensive, clutch player of year races revealed Westbrook injury update Russell Westbrook was a limited participant for Thursday's game after being injured during pregame warmups. Advertisement Westbrook scored three points, a rebound and an assist in nine minutes of play. Westbrook had left foot inflammation and was considered questionable after rolling his ankle. He shot 1-for-5 from the field (all attempts from the three-point line). This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clippers-Nuggets: Game 3 takeaways as LA takes series lead
