Clippers' Most Obvious Trade Candidate After the Max Strus Addition

The Los Angeles Clippers now have 17 players under contract for next season after trading for Max Strus. They have to move on from two players between now and the start of the season. Even if we assume that one of them will be Cam Christie, whose salary is non-guaranteed for next season, the Clippers still have at least one more move to make.

The Clippers can solve this problem by releasing Johni Broome or finding a salary-dump trade for Isaiah Jackson. The issue is that the Clippers are already so low on frontcourt depth. Parting ways with one of the few backup big men on the roster may not be the smartest move.

There is a clear roster imbalance in LA. The Clippers' power forward and center depth is one of the worst in the league. Rui Hachimura is the only proven power forward, and Brook Lopez is the only proven center on the roster. Lopez is 38 years old and is underqualified to be the starting center at this stage in his career.

The Clippers have high expectations for Yanic Konan Niederhauser, but he won't be ready to start the season as he is recovering from a Lisfranc surgery. Jackson could be a decent third-string center, but he is undersized for a large role. Broome has some potential, but he is very inexperienced.

In contrast, the Clippers have an embarrassment of riches in the guard rotation. Darius Garland, Keaton Wagler, Max Strus, Bradley Beal, Kobe Sanders, and Kris Dunn are all going to get minutes in the two guard spots. Add in the fact that Gradey Dick is on the roster and even Brandon Ingram can play the shooting guard, and the need for the Clippers to make a trade involving one of these players is obvious.

Clippers Must Explore Kris Dunn Trade Scenarios

LA can go in different directions here, but Kris Dunn makes the most sense as a trade candidate. He was excellent defensively last season, and he has been an important part of this team since arriving from Utah in the 2024 offseason. However, he will turn 33 during the season and is on an expiring contract.

Instead of risking Dunn leaving for nothing next summer, the Clippers should see what they can get for him now.

There will be teams interested in Dunn. He is the type of versatile defender playoff teams need on the perimeter. And he is on a $5.6 million salary next season, which makes salary matching easy in a potential trade.

Dunn plays with a ton of intensity and physicality. He could suffer a decline as he gets closer to his mid-30s. Since he has been very good for the Clippers the past two seasons, his trade value may never be higher than it is now. Instead of giving him a contract extension, the Clippers should use Dunn's team-friendly salary to get some assets or a frontcourt player.

Losing Dunn will hurt defensively. He is arguably the Clippers' best defender. However, he is no longer a priority for a team with younger options in the backcourt. It's time to sell high on him while balancing the roster.

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