Most Likely Clippers Player to Be Traded Between Now and Start of Season

The Los Angeles Clippers aren't done building their roster for next season. They haven't officially finalized the Kawhi Leonard trade, but they are operating under the assumption that they will have Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick on their team rather than Kawhi.

While they simultaneously await resolution on the Leonard investigation, the Clippers are keeping tabs on multiple free agents, including Bradley Beal, Bennedict Mathurin, and Peyton Watson. Right now, they don't have a roster spot, so any addition they make means someone has to leave the team.

It also makes sense that the Clippers continue selling off their valuable veterans. They have entered a new era of Clippers basketball. Without Leonard, the Clippers are no longer in win-now mode. They will have a more future-focused approach, which means that they should be willing to trade veterans for future assets.

The two Clippers with the most trade value, and who make sense as trade chips, are Derrick Jones Jr. and Kris Dunn. They also have to be the most likely players to be traded between now and the start of the season.

Kris Dunn & Derrick Jones Jr. Have to Be the Most Likely Trade Candidates in LA

Between the two, however, who is more likely to be elsewhere on opening night?

Due to his age and contract, the answer has to be Dunn. The 32-year-old guard is on an expiring contract, making $5.6 million next season. After two very healthy and productive seasons in LA, he should have plenty of suitors around the league for that price.

Dunn can seamlessly fit anywhere. As an off-ball guard who can defend multiple positions, there is always room for a player of his mold. Plus, Dunn is a better ball-handler and playmaker than most players of his type. He can also hit threes when he is left wide open.

He is a good player, so it wouldn't be the worst idea for the Clippers to hold onto him. He is a good fit next to Darius Garland and Keaton Wagler as a point-of-attack defender. The issue is that the Clippers don't need him. It makes more sense for them to trade him while he can bring back future assets rather than let him become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

The Clippers have depth and talent in the backcourt. Moving on from Dunn also has the benefit of opening up some playing time for Kobe Sanders and Gradey Dick. The Clippers are also exploring the possibility of bringing back Bradley Beal or Bennedict Mathurin. There will be even less of a need for Dunn in that scenario.

Dunn's trade value will never be higher than it is right now. For that reason, one has to assume that the Clippers front office should at least be open to the possibility of trading him over the next two months.

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