The Clippers were supposed to be major players at the trade deadline. After having moved erstwhile foundation Blake Griffin to the Pistons, they looked to be in rebuild mode, and, indeed, they went about exploring other deals, particularly those involving would-be free agents. They talked to the Cavaliers about slotman DeAndre Jordan, but their refusal to take in onerous contracts put a crimp on talks. And they talked to the Spurs about newly acquired Avery Bradley, but ultimately decided against swapping him for veteran Danny Green.
And so the D-Dat came and went with the Clippers in the sidelines. Clearly, they had made a decision to gamble on the prospect of re-signing Jordan and Bradley in the offseason. In the meantime, they figured on competing as best they could. There would be no tanking for them, which was why they took the unprecedented step of giving Lou Williams, supposedly also on the way out, a contract extension. The message from owner Steve Ballard, executive Lawrence Frank, and consultant Jerry West was clear: They鈥檙e angling for the playoffs, never mind the negative effects on their draft position.
To be fair, the Clippers have been good since Griffin packed his bags. In fact, they have been very, very good, compiling an impressive five-two slate post-Lob City, their only losses coming against the Blazers (because they were undermanned) and the Sixers (on the second night of a back-to-back set). The injection of new blood — especially talented new blood — can do that, as the likes of the Cavaliers and Pistons have shown in recent memory.
That said, much still has to be done before the Clippers can declare their season a modest success. After all, they鈥檙e still ninth in the West despite their run of victories heading into the All-Star break. And because they most certainly don鈥檛 want a one-and-done stint in the playoffs, they鈥檒l go about improving their seeding as best they can. For all their confidence, the Rockets, Warriors, and Spurs are too formidable to overcome in a seven-game series.
Should the Clippers have pushed for a spot in the lottery instead? Perhaps they would have if their trade-deadline considerations went the way they desired. Instead, they鈥檙e in the middle, the hardest place in the bracket to improve for the long haul. The good news is that Ballmer & Company are serious in their plans to be counted among the elite anew. They have money, and they have the brains. Now all they need are the breaks.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is the Senior Vice-President and General Manager of Basic Energy Corp.
