With the trade deadline just around the corner, the Clippers have won 26 of their last 31 games, the best record in the league during the same period. With the Timberwolves and Thunder losing back-to-back today, the Clippers have risen to the top of the West. A very real question is ahead, do they still need to trade?
How strong are the Clippers with 26 wins in 31 games?
Since beating the Warriors on December 3 last year, the Clippers have a 26-5 record in the last 31 games, with a winning percentage of 839%, not only the first in the league in the same period, but also the lead is not small. In second place over the same period was the Cavaliers (22-7), followed by the Celtics, Thunder and Nuggets. The Clippers were the only team to win more than 80 percent during that period.
Where are the Clippers strong? First of all, one word, quasi! During that time, the Clippers shot (513%) tied with the Suns for first place in the league with a three-point shooting percentage (41.).8%), free throw percentage (83.).7%), effective hit rate (59.).4%) and true hit rate (63.).0%) are the first in the league. The extremely high shooting rate also allowed the Clippers to play an incredible offensive efficiency, and in these 31 games, the Clippers' offensive efficiency was as high as 1243, also the first in the league.
During those 31 games, Leonard was frighteningly efficient, playing 27 of them at an average of 261 point, shooting 572%, 50 three-point shooting4% and 93 free throw percentage6%, which is not the level of the 180 club, but the performance of the 200 club. George and Harden also shot 43 from three-point range during that period6% and 421%。
The Clippers still have shortcomings to fill
However, such a powerful Clippers still have shortcomings that need to be filled. More than one name has pointed out the biggest problem with the Clippers, which is that they lack height on the inside, which can be a disadvantage when they come up against a team with a strong interior line. This is actually reflected in the Clippers' record.
In 31 games with a win rate of more than 80 percent, they have lost to the Celtics, Timberwolves and Cavaliers. All three teams have strong interior strength, and the Clippers are at a significant disadvantage in rebounding. Against the Greens, the Clippers grabbed 34 rebounds compared to 51; Against the Timberwolves, the Clippers also had 34 rebounds, and the opponent had 41; Against the Cavaliers, the Clippers had 37 rebounds and their opponents had 46.
Fewer rebounds often mean fewer shots, and if the Clippers don't have a crushing advantage in shooting percentage, they're likely to lose the game.
The Clippers' pre-deadline reinforcement goals are also placed on the interior, in addition to grabbing rebounds, they also hope to get a spatial interior that can match the team's style of play and make up for the shortcomings of Zubac and Plumlee. That's why the Clippers have been so interested in Hornets interior pJ Tucker lately.
What trade chips do the Clippers have?
The Clippers are already strong, but if they want to go far in the playoffs and even challenge for a championship, they still have to try to avoid shortcomings in the roster. If they want to further improve their strength through trade, what chips do the Clippers have?
ESPN has previously analyzed the Clippers' current trade chips, and they have three players on their roster who are not eligible for trade, one is Leonard, who has signed a contract extension, and the other two are Primo and Theis, both of whom signed after November 8 and are not satisfied with the first easy terms.
In addition, Plumlee and Wisson have a one-year bird limit, so they can veto any deal that concerns them before this year's deadline. The Clippers are already $34.8 million above the luxury tax line, so they can't sign players who are bought out this season with a salary of more than $12.4 million (for example, if the Hornets buy Lowry, the Clippers can't sign Lowry).
There is only one first-round pick that the Clippers can trade, and that is their 2030 first-rounder, and they have two second-round picks to trade. Both are no longer in the rotation, especially Tucker, who also has a strong desire to leave.
Now that the Clippers are the No. 1 team in the West, do you expect them to continue to upgrade through trades and eventually win the first championship in team history? Feel free to leave a message to express your opinions.