As is 213 Hoops tradition, we do roundtable grades for all of the Clippers’ trades. First up at this trade deadline, the Clippers’ involvement in a three-team deal that sent Luke Kennard to Memphis, John Wall to Houston, and Eric Gordon to Los Angeles.
Lucas Hann: C+
On a sentimental note, I’m really happy to have EJ back as a Clipper, and I think he’s going to be more efficient and consistent than Reggie was this year in the “score-first ballhandling guard” role. But his being a better scorer and slightly worse playmaker, when the Clippers would have ideally given up some scoring for additional playmaking, making me question the fit with Norman Powell (a very good scorer and very bad playmaker). His strength will help him switch more effectively on defense than LAC’s previous guards. Moving back in the 2023 first round is disappointing, especially to not get an ideal fit. The return of three 2nds for Luke Kennard is a touch underwhelming but fine/acceptable given his play and contract. I think Gordon is a slight upgrade in his role, but maybe not worth moving what is currently the 18th pick for the 28th. The real x-factor here isn’t his play, but his contract–if the Clippers are able to use his large, team-friendly, non-guaranteed deal to make “the next trade” in June, then this trade becomes a big win. Otherwise, it’s far from bad, but doesn’t move me in a major way.
Ralston Dacanay: B
My immediate reaction to the trade was it’s going to be awesome to see Eric Gordon back in a Clippers uniform. Like many others, though, I do have some question marks about the fit, especially since Terance Mann has played great starting at point as of late. But, after listening to Lucas break it all down, it certainly makes sense that Gordon will likely be “Bledsoe 2.0” from an asset standpoint, since his contract is tailor-made to set up the Clips’ next big trade, so I’m just hoping to see EJ ball out for however far LAC is able to go this year. Seeing Luke Kennard go to the Grizzlies isn’t fun, but it has seemed like the right time to turn him loose and the fit for him over there isn’t particularly great either. Best of luck to John Wall, it just didn’t work out here.
Niels Pineda: B-
The prodigal son is back after over a decade! While it wasn’t the most exciting move, it’s one that I’m overall pleased with considering the upgrade in talent and fit. Losing Kennard’s elite 3-point shooting may hurt, but as we’ve seen with Norman Powell, being able to put the ball on the floor and score at 3 levels is incredibly valuable to a team that often becomes too reliant on 3 pointers. On top of this, Gordon is the epitome of a team first player with a proven track record of offering valuable minutes in whatever situation he finds himself in–something that Kennard struggled to do with his inconsistent role, minutes, and aggression. This was a solid move that I think may end up being one of the more underrated moves in all of free agency, but it gets a knock due to the 8-10 spots (hopefully not more) the Clippers will likely fall in the ’23 draft due to the swap we had to include (please don’t make us all regret this).
Shapan Debnath: B-
I’ve talked myself into Eric Gordon quite a bit since attaining him via trade, even though I know he isn’t quite what we envisioned as a new Clippers’ guard coming in. LAC has often looked listless with a bunch of side-to-side halfcourt guys when Norm Powell has not been in the game, so having Gordon means that even when Norm is out, LAC has a bruiser at the guard spot that can get a paint touch with a bit of efficiency. He’s not going to solve setting up 213, and the downgrade in the first round with that Bucks pick swap is absolutely something, but the Clippers badly needed another north/south guy and I believe Gordon can be that. And, I’m just happy to root for him again.
Robert Flom: C+
This isn’t a bad move, and the value in moving down 10 spots, getting three seconds, and swapping Gordon for Wall and Kennard (effectively) isn’t awful. That said, it’s unexciting to me. Gordon is a better driver and ball-handler than Luke, certainly, and the Clippers need those traits. But he’s overrated on defense (I’d say about the same as Luke, though heftier), and is extraordinarily duplicative with Norm Powell in terms of skillset. Since Norm has been so good, again, that’s not a bad thing per se, I just do wonder how Ty will configure the rotations to keep those two apart. If one of them starts over Terance for that purpose, that’s a negative for me. In short, I think Gordon is more explosive and might help the Clippers a bit more this year than Luke (or Reggie, whose spot he’s really replacing), but I wish the Clippers had gone for a bit of a different skillset (more defense with size or playmaking, preferably).
David Mendez-Yapkowitz: C+
While Gordon is certainly capable of being an instant offense kind of player, as he showed with the Rockets, I’m just not sure he truly addresses a need for the Clippers. He’s another smallish guard – albeit strong – but he just doesn’t have the playmaking skills that ideally you would have wanted an incoming guard to have. On the positive side though, he does give the team another scorer capable of creating his own shot and perhaps being able to keep the Clippers offense from stagnating so much. He’s someone defenses have to pay attention to. He’s a consistent three-point shooter as well. Plus it’s always cool for a former player to return to where their career began.
