The Los Angeles Clippers are off to a rough start to the season, falling to 5-12 after a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. The Clippers are reportedly looking for ways to improve their roster, which include the possibility of acquiring six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Clippers are interested in DeRozan, who is currently sulking with the Sacramento Kings. The 36-year-old forward has a contract until next season, but it’s only a partially guaranteed deal.
The Clippers are looking for another scorer capable of lifting the burden from James Harden, who has been doing his best to keep the franchise afloat in the Western Conference. They also need to replace the production of Bradley Beal, or at least his expected production, when he signed in the offseason.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on The Stein Line that the Kings are open to trading away DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis and Keon Ellis. They are prepared to embrace a rebuild around Keegan Murray and Nique Clifford.
DeRozan Didn’t Hold Back on Kings Situation
After the Sacramento Kings suffered their eighth consecutive loss on November 20, DeMar DeRozan couldn’t help but call out the team and the franchise. DeRozan didn’t pull any punches and went off on the current situation in Sacramento.
“In a sh***y place. Don’t nobody want to lose the way we’ve been losing. I think it’s just everything right now for us is just sh***y, honestly. Sometimes when you’re in the deep end, it’s hard to hear anything. You’re just trying to swim your way out, one way or another,” DeRozan said, via Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee.
After the call-out by DeRozan, the Kings seemingly came alive and snapped their eight-game losing streak with a shocking win over the Denver Nuggets on November 22. It was also a road victory, so it was even more impressive.
However, it’s an unsustainable situation in Sacramento since they are still near the bottom of the standings at 4-13.
Clippers’ Situation Could Affect Entire NBA
There’s no denying that the Oklahoma City Thunder are the favorites to win the NBA championship this season. They are currently sitting atop the standings with a record of 17-1. They are doing all of this despite not having their second-best player in Jalen Williams, who remains out with a wrist injury.
But how are the Los Angeles Clippers tied to the Thunder and the entire NBA? The Clippers don’t own their first-round pick in next year’s draft because they traded it to Oklahoma City in 2019 as part of the Paul George deal.
According to Forbes’ Evan Sidery, the Thunder could end up with a Top 4 pick in next year’s loaded NBA draft. The Clippers have one of the worst records in the league today, so if they continue their free fall, the defending NBA champions will get another talented young player.
To avoid this scenario, the Clippers might need to upgrade their roster via trade. DeMar DeRozan is no longer the player he used to be, but he’s still capable of being a really good second or third option on offense. He’s averaging 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game this season.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Clippers Interested in 6-Time NBA All-Star: Report appeared first on Heavy Sports.