Toronto’s Serge Ibaka would be the ideal free agent addition for the Clippers, but that can only happen if he’s willing to accept a discount to remain with a contending team, writes Jovan Buha of The Athletic. Ibaka is a better-than-average three-point shooter at 38.5% and a strong defender both at the rim and on the perimeter. Buha sees him as an improvement over Montrezl Harrell in spacing the floor, rebounding and on defense.
However, the Clippers are limited to the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which is expected to fall between $9MM and $10MM. He’s likely to see better offers, but Ibaka has played on winning teams for nearly his entire career and may value the chance to contend for a title in L.A.
If the Clippers can’t land Ibaka, Buha sees Miami’s Goran Dragic and Jae Crowder as alternatives. Dragic is masterful on the pick-and-roll and capable of scoring in a variety of ways. Crowder could be a replacement for Marcus Morris if the veteran wing doesn’t re-sign.
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- With the Pelicans talking about trading Jrue Holiday, Anthony Slater of The Athletic examines whether he makes sense for the three Pacific teams expected to be in the title hunt. Holiday would give the Clippers a secondary playmaker next to Kawhi Leonard, a need that became obvious in the playoffs, and would be part of a dangerous defensive unit alongside Leonard and Paul George. However, the Clippers are low on assets after last summer’s trade to acquire George. The Lakers are in the same position in the wake of the Anthony Davis deal. They can offer Kyle Kuzma or Alex Caruso, but Slater notes that executive VP of basketball operations David Griffin passed on both players last year. The Warriors have the No. 2 pick in the draft, but matching salaries for Holiday would be difficult, assuming the Pelicans don’t want to take back Andrew Wiggins or Draymond Green.
- Although Richaun Holmes is coming off a breakthrough year, the Kings might consider drafting a center, especially if USC’s Onyeka Okongwu is still available at No. 12, according to Jason Jones of The Athletic. Okongwu can defend on the perimeter and runs the floor, which Jones says are qualities the Kings like in their big men.
- Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype examines how the Lakers can keep their best free agents and still add a significant piece with the MLE without going over the tax apron.
Arthur you may want to delete this part of your article. It really makes zero sense. I’m not sure why you added it? Then you can delete this comment as well pointing out the atrocity LOL. I mean you really think the Warriors would give up Draymond Green and the second pick for Jrue Holiday? You need to cut that little section out. Seriously Arthur. Then delete my comment. Then everything’s all good.
“The Warriors have the No. 2 pick in the draft, but matching salaries for Holiday would be difficult, assuming the Pelicans don’t want to take back Andrew Wiggins or Draymond Green.”
Come on now draymond is old and overrated especially outside of the warrior system and this years draft is subpar. Jrue is a great player, not a star but a relatively young player who has great offensive and defensive game
Maybe I’m Wrong? Let’s take a poll.
If you were the Warriors would you trade the #2 pick and Draymond Green for Jrue Holiday?
My vote: no.
Warriors would not do that. Jrue is not a young player he will be 30 next year. He is also a free agent next year. They might do it for Wiggins but not for Green. I just do see how the trade would make GSW that much better. GSW need somebody to rebound.
Maybe the dubbs should trade Wiggins for a reunion for Harrison Barnes. Then sign Myers Leonard, trade their #2 pick for a sixth man type player.
No way.
I wouldn’t make that deal simply because then you turn the Warriors into the Rockets. Didn’t we figure out that the small ball concept is fatally flawed?
To be honest, I wouldn’t trade Wiggins and 2 for Holiday. I think Wiggins is underrated due to his salary and I think Holiday might be a bit overrated.
The Warriors should not trade Draymond. Without Draymond the “death” lineup never gets invented because Draymond can defend 5 positions pretty well.
On offence Draymond is smart enough to play on the ball which allows Curry to play off the ball, run around screens to get free and get open shots. Yes Holiday could probably do this very well but then the Warriors need to find big men that can shoot jumpers to allow their offence to work and that can play defence as well – there’s not many of those out there.
If I’m wrong I hope Arthur deletes my comment. I just thought it was obvious beyond a shadow of a doubt that that was ridiculous. But if I’m wrong I admit it… we’ll see how it goes. I may have rose-colored Warrior glasses on LOL.
You may? Like all Warriors fans, you absolutely do.
I mean that based on all of your comments, not this particular Jrue-Green topic.
Okay fair enough I’ll accept it if you’re honest and genuine about it.
It was the idea of TA’s Jackie Slater, not HR, in an article about packages for JrueH, not DrayG. And he didn’t like it either. I just think.it’s weird. There are plenty of obvious good ideas around. But they say Jrue is being shopped now.
Stop monitoring people’s comments, its creepy.
Ibaka would be great for Clippers. But they need a PG a lot more. They can’t sign FA. All they have is ME. Unless they make a trade. I think Warriors should give Ibaka the ME. He fits them nicely. Plus he could win 2 rings there. A few teams will want to sign Ibaka.
Trading the #2 pick and Draymond would make no sense at all. Moving the heart of the roster AND a valuable asset for a 3rd guard? Come on now
I think the clippers should get myles Turner and oladipo for Paul George and ivica zubac.
no way Pacers say anything but no
Maybe Danny Green and Jared dudley for Paul george
Williamson mvp you must be trolling so I won’t bite
Both Ibaka and Marc Gasol are obvious fits for the Clippers, even if you looked ahead a year ago, but I think both could get more than the mid level
Holiday and Josh Hart for Draymond, Jordan Poole, Ky Bowman and 2nd round picks in 2021 and 2022? Warriors draft Okongwu and grab 1 of the defensive 4s in FA, and a veteran big and hope they stay healthy?
Might work better with Wiggins, although its probably a little questionable from both sides…just thought I’d add to the hypothetical conversation
What an absolutely terrible deal for GSW. Why why why….
depending on if you think its Draymond these last 2 years or Draymond from before that. I said it was questionable. Obviously, they would have to go after the right fit at the 4, but theoretically, it does address multiple areas of need at the same time, especially Josh Hart as a really good 3 and D player at multiple positions…Jrue Holiday fills that need of someone that can guard PGs, be a playmaker, and play next to Curry
Although obviously you could argue that you cant really replace Draymond, and there are multiple options in FA (which I have listed at times myself) to fill those spots with versatile playmaking defenders…I’m also not sure I would do it from New Orleans perspective for obvious reasons
Gasol’s on/off is plus 6, Ibaka’s is minus5. Guess who plays for the team and who plays for his stats. Some Ibaka-signer will be surprised but it will be too late then.
My Raptors should sign and trade FVF for Holiday. He will thrive next to Lowry. Also we can sign and trade Ibaka for Turner.
Warriors signing Jrue will not make them a title contender. Klay is coming back from a torn ACL, Steph hasn’t played for over a year and he ain’t that young anymore. Draymond is washed up, dude would be an average player in any other team. KD carried them for 3 years and their first title was a fluke!
Who cares how old Steph is, he will be elite deep into his 30s and maybe even 40s.
Lol
Why not hold on and see what Wiggins can do. Trust yourselves and draft this year and next year and build up again. Why all this instant gratification attitude of having to trade for another “star” immediately. Unless its Giannis, then do it. LOL
It’s because Steph is 32, Klay and Draymond are 30. Their window to win now is two years, three years. Why bring in rookies that take three years to learn the league and waste your core 3 Prime? Dump the periphery and get a star.., if they can. I’m sure they’re trying right now.
the warriors aren’t going to give up wiggins, and probably won’t give up draymond