Realistic Trade Scenario for LA Clippers to Improve Major Flaw

The LA Clippers need some help in their frontcourt

Feb 13, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; LA Clippers guard Norman Powell (24), guard James Harden (1), and guard/forward Ben Simmons (25) defend Utah Jazz forward/center John Collins (20) during the second half at the Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images | Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Clippers exited the first round of the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets with disappointment after not reaching the second round for the third consecutive season.

After a 50-32 regular season that placed them at the 5th seed in a Western Conference gauntlet, there were plenty of reasons to hold their heads high. In the summer of 2024, the Clippers let Paul George walk, signed defensive-minded players while remaining financially flexible, and got All-Star-caliber seasons out of their core in the regular season.

Clippers last season with PG + Russ, and 68 games of Kawhi:

•51 wins, 4th seed

Clippers this season w/out PG + Russ, and only 37 games of Kawhi:

•50 wins, 5th seed pic.twitter.com/hR59GyX6XX

— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) April 13, 2025

However, after closing the season winning 18 of 22 games to end the regular season, there was a hope that Los Angeles could finally make a deep playoff run with Kawhi Leonard healthy. The Denver Nuggets defeated the Clippers in a hard-fought seven-game series, and now the offseason begins early for a team with many questions.

A new scenario presented by Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron suggests a trade that could help the Clippers in a position they have been seeking for years.

“Bogdan Bogdanovic’s $16 million salary, which functions as an expiring contract due to his team option for 2026-27, is their most obvious trade chip. They take back up to an additional $8.5 million for him," Gozlan writes.

Jun 20, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (20) celebrates with guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (13) after scoring against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter of game seven of the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

He continued to say that Utah Jazz forward John Collins would be an attainable asset should Utah trade him, "For example, the Clippers could acquire John Collins, who has a $26.6 million player option he’s likely to pick up, for Bogdanovic and one more small salary.”

With the Clippers making it a point to stay under both the first and second aprons while also avoiding the tax line to use their full MLE (Mid-Level Exception), using Bogdanovic's contract (which they acquired at the 2025 deadline) would bring major help to the physicality of the frontcourt.

Mar 10, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Utah Jazz forward John Collins (20) dunks the ball during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Acquiring Collins would bring an athletic power forward with the ability to stretch the floor, guard multiple wings, and push Kawhi Leonard back down to the small forward position.

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