10:29pm: Both teams have now officially announced the trade.
6:29pm: The Clippers are trading guard Austin Rivers to the Wizards in exchange for center Marcin Gortat, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, making it perhaps even more likely that center DeAndre Jordan is on his way out of L.A.
It was reported earlier today that Jordan, who has yet to decide on his 2018/19 player option, is considering exercising his option in order to facilitate a trade to another team, a la former teammate Chris Paul last season. While nothing has been reported officially, it seems odd that the Clippers would trade for Gortat if they have any expectation of keeping Jordan in Los Angeles.
After drafting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson in the lottery last week, Rivers appears to be a casualty of the Clippers’ guard heavy roster moving forward, especially given his price tag of $12.65MM, which is approximately twice the amount that the Clippers will pay their two rookies combined.
Meanwhile, it had already been reported that the Wizards were hoping to move on from Gortat. The Wizards needed a proven reserve guard to give John Wall and Bradley Beal some backup and, as detailed by Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN, to move on from Gortat from a locker room standpoint. As was highly publicized, Gortat and Wall had an inconsistent relationship, culminating in a public social media spat last season.
The Wizards now figure to enter the free agent period this weekend in search of a center. Ian Mahinmi and Jason Smith are currently under contract for next season.
From a salary cap perspective, the salaries of Rivers and Gortat match nicely, with Gortat scheduled to make $13,565,218 next season, only $915,218 more than Rivers. Assuming the swap is made official before the new league year begins on Sunday, the Wizards will create a trade exception worth $957,609, the difference between the two players’ 2017/18 salaries.
The Wizards will also save about $1.4MM in luxury tax penalties by taking on Rivers’ salary in exchange for Gortat’s, as noted by ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Both Rivers and Gortat are in the final year of contracts, and will become unrestricted free agents next summer.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Haha wait what??? Wow!
You are the former McDonald’s All-American, you are my son. If you watch Game of Zones you’ll get this. Lol
I like gridiron heights lol but both are funny
Deandre getting traded
Pretty much. They needed to unload a guard after drafting Robinson who’s basically like Rivers in that he’s a good all around scorer. He’ll slide into the second unit and they save some $$$
DeAndre either told them he’s opting out or he’s opting in and being traded.
Didn’t see this coming
You’re right, I bet he’s going to the Knicks.
I doubt it, Knicks have already said they’re not interested in the FA market until next year. His age also doesn’t match their roster well. I bet he goes to Houston who won’t match Cappela’s big pay day – he’s from Houston as well.
No chance. Houston’s going to have a hard time finding a way to pay Capela $15mil. No way they can pay Jordan $25mil.
what if they are trading Anderson for Jordan ?
does that make them better ? can they sign and trade capela ?
well this is awkward…
Wow I think someone here suggested this yesterday…
Wizards continue to add playmaking, depth, and versatility since the draft, which they badly needed. Clippers clear some space at that guard spot, add a big to replace DeAndre and pair with Harrell, assuming they resign him.
Speaking of DeAndre Jordan, he would be a good fit in Washington if they could get him somehow, although I dont see that happening. Dwight might make sense for them though
John Wall and Dwight Howard in the same locker room? Lol. That’s probably not a great idea.
I’ll miss gortat
Rivers seems like an odd fit in Washington considering they are very strong in the backcourt and relatively weak in the frontcourt. I know they have to shed salary and Gortat had to go after his dustup with Wall, but I’d think they would have needed to pick up some size for Gortat. I guess it is still possible to flip Rivers for a big man, but it still seems strange.
They’re going to miss Gortat. Bigs that don’t need the ball in their hands are an underrated commodity in today’s NBA.
Hasn’t depth been an issue for them too? I think they resolved that some last year, but Rivers is a good 3rd guard to have.
Depth is nice, but when you have Ian Mahinmi and Markieff Morris as your starting front court, back court depth should not be a priority.
Should be an interesting Thanksgiving at the Rivers household.
If my dad gave me $12.65M, I’d be just fine with him trading me. No hard feelings, Pops.
But he was traded for Gortat. Translation = I don’t love you.
Nice to see comments on other sports outside of MLB. It’s the OG rumors site, but to bring the same level of engagement to the NBA/NFL rumors when these things are posted would be extremely fun.
I agree. Too bad most NBA “fans” only care about Star players and trendy twitter topics… mainly bleacher report type news
Always thought the best way to engage with sports fans was to criticize them first..
You’re right. My bad man. I just know of too many people who scroll through social media and watch highlights and act like they follow the game
I only go through the comments on here, NFL, and NHL now because there are just too many on MLBTR. I still read the articles, but I can’t comment anymore there’s too much going on.
Doc…. how could you!?
Deandre a goner, which i’m fine with, but i hope we get some kind of asset for him. Also, put some respect on austin’s name. He’s a solid nba player that he’s disrespected. I really hope the national opinion on him changes when he balls out in washington
This could be good for Rivers. Better anyway than getting swamped by the two rookies and Thornhill.
So the Clippers are back to being a last place team, nice.
WAS is unbalanced now. On the perimeter: Wall, Beal, OttoPorter;
Satorinski, Rivers, Oubre, & very promising rookie Troy Brown. This is a loaded group. Meeks & Frazier had off years.
But inside is Mahinmi & Markief Morris; Smith & hopefully Scott. WEAK
WAS is well into luxury taxes and needs to re-up Mike Scott, so they will be ~$10mil over. Need to get a big man!
No update on Otto Porter’s health right?
It’s a nice depth move, but only going to be relevant if Wall misses 40 games. Otherwise, I think you’ve just got yourself an overpriced bench player. I guess they are very high on Brown filling in for Porter… b/c SF is where I would have went for depth.
This was the only way to get someone to take Gortat and it’s a nice move taking back an expiring salary and a guard who can back up a both spots. Decent move. Gortat had to go.
Ya once I read earlier of this trade, I immediately felt clapper brass were given a clue of DJs intentions.
Jerry has been moving existing pieces for a newer group of players.
Although it may seem like LAC is going in a different direction, I’ll assume its for the better no matter the results it yields for 2018/19
Jordan is going to Dallas, they have money and they are interested.
I thought Cousins was…
It’s pretty likely one of them does anyway. Smith/Doncic/Cousins is a pretty strong foundation
Never should have left!
Great move for Clips getting rid of an overpaid bench player. Surely means DJ is gone… just hoping not to Dallas, I am waiting for DMC there.
The Clips should send overrated as Doc Rivers too.