The Los Angeles Clippers have arguably become the better franchise in LA, if not bigger. Their rebuild began in June 2017, when the Clippers traded away Chris Paul for seven players, including current stars Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams. In January 2018, the Clippers also traded star Blake Griffin for Avery Bradley, Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic along with two future picks, officially starting their rebuild.
They flipped the other players in future trade deals, setting themselves up for the blockbuster 2019 Free Agency, where they landed the 2019 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and traded with the Oklahoma City Thunder for superstar, Paul George.
With two MVP caliber players ready to catapult the team to new heights, the Clippers already have role players around them and a deep bench to help push through the grueling 82 game regular season.
Yet, they have not started with the high expectations from them, currently in 5th place with a 27-13 record. They are still missing a piece to make that final push. Here are the 3 players whom the Los Angeles Clippers should target.
Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.
#3 JJ Redick (New Orleans Pelicans)
JJ Redick has been one of the best shooters in the NBA for the last few seasons. He was an integral member of the Philadelphia 76ers before moving to the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2019 Free Agency, on a modest two years and $26 million contract.
He has even played for the Los Angeles Clippers for four seasons under Doc Rivers and might just be the player to push them to the next level. The Pelicans have struggled mightily this season, winning only 14 of 40 matches and are 14th in the competitive Western Conference.
JJ might be the perfect player for the Clippers to target, as he will be the perfect floor spacer for the Clippers. His veteran presence will only make him a very reliable option on the offensive end and with the team already very strong on defense, it will be easy to make up for it.
Redick is averaging a solid 15.7 points per game, shooting over 46% from beyond the arc, making him an invaluable asset if the Clippers manage to trade for the 35-year-old veteran.
Pelicans might be reluctant to trade such a good player, but still might be willing to given that they are looking to rebuild and JJ does not fit their timeline. A trade package of Landry Shamet and Maurice Harkless along with a 2020 second round pick could be enough to pry him away.
#2 Jrue Holiday (New Orleans Pelicans)
Jrue Holiday is the type of player that could potentially vault the Los Angeles Clippers from NBA championship contenders to the favorites for the 2020 NBA title. He is in the prime of his career, at 29 years old, and easily the best player on the New Orleans Pelicans roster.
Jrue has been playing some of his best basketball for the past three seasons and this season is no different. He is averaging 19.6 points per game, along with 6.5 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game as well. His effective field goal percentage is just under 50% for the season and shows that he is playing at his best.
Holiday has been known for his defense and is showing why averaging 1.7 steals per game and has locked down almost anyone he goes up against. Pairing him up with the dangerous duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will lead to the formation of a new Big 3 in the NBA. Holiday is more than capable of holding his own with Leonard and George and Doc Rivers must try and do everything to make sure Pelicans bite.
In the past, the New Orleans management has categorically said that Jrue Holiday is off the trade block, but recent reports are suggesting otherwise. A deal of Maurice Harkless, center Ivica Zubac and young guard Jerome Robinson, along with two future first-round picks should be enough for the Pelicans to waiver and go for it.
#1 Andre Iguodala (Memphis Grizzlies)
The Golden State Warriors decided to trade Andre Iguodala when it became clear that Kevin Durant was leaving in free agency. Iguodala was moved to the Memphis Grizzlies so that they could free up space to trade for D'Angelo Russell from the Brooklyn Nets, with Durant moving the other way.
He has been laying dormant with the Grizzlies ever since, waiting for a team to trade for him as the Grizzlies rejected any buyout deal options. Iguodala has been a part of a championship winning roster since 2013 and has won three NBA titles with them. The Clippers should make signing him a must this trade window.
Iguodala is one of the few players who can do it all. He is a defensive combo forward who can defend from point guard to center and is amazing at it, as he showed us with the Warriors. He can play anywhere on the offense too and while his 3 point shot isn't the best in the league, he can still make teams pay with it.
He could serve as a great 3-D player for the Clippers and can be a thorn in the side of LeBron James, as he has in the past. He could be the player to put them over the Lakers in the Western Conference.
A trade deal involving Iguodala will have Grizzlies demanding atleast a young player in the deal. A combination of Mo Harkless, a young guard in Jerome Robinson and the 2020 first round pick could be enough to seal the deal for the Clippers.
Pelicans Fan? Check out the latest New Orlean Pelicans depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.