Comments on: Woj: Clippers trade for James Harden; lose Batum, Covington, Martin

By: osamu6238

osamu6238 — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 01:24:22 +0000

I feel like the PF rotation is going to pretty much be Kawhi and PJ Tucker with some Kobe Brown filling in, which isn’t the end of the world. Kawhi can play the 4, PJ can play until it’s clear Kobe is the better option.

Still hope for a Norm for a PF trade, but not sure what is out there. Norm really only has value to another contender. Maybe have to throw in Mann for a bigger deal with non-contender? Clips definitely are running low on assets to include in any trade with a rebuilding team.

Would Portland do Mann/Norm for Jerami Grant when he’s eligible to be traded? Grant’s deal is not going to look good, and they are going to be going nowhere fast. They might be lucky to get Mann back in that deal.
Mann/Norm for Gordon Hayward (Clips don’t do that). PJ/Norm for Hayward once PJ can be traded? Still not sure a big enough upgrade.
Norm for Rui Hachimura when he’s eligible for trade? Can’t see the Clippers and Lakers making a deal, but would love to have Rui on the Clippers.
Norm for Duncan Robinson? Not sure that makes the Clips any better defensively. Same with Norm for Davis Bertans. I guess at least they get bigger?
Norm for Dorian Finney Smith? Something like that would be ideal, but don’t see the Nets wanting Norm, even if they could use a solid bench scorer. Not sure the Clips have the assets to get something like that done.

By: osamu6238

osamu6238 — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:22:38 +0000

Yea, in June, I was in favor of trying to keep Norm, as he’s still a valuable scorer off the bench. I viewed Bones as a borderline rotation guy, with hopefully continued improvement, but wasn’t someone I thought was going to be a big loss if he didn’t see rotation minutes this year. With Bones’ improved play in preseason, and so far this year, it’s been clear to me that he really needs to see rotation minutes, which makes Norm probably the most expendable piece, but I assume Philly was looking for expirings rather than a guy like Norm on a long term deal. The only reason the Clips got Norm for so cheap was his contract was probably viewed as a minimal asset.

I’ll be curious what Norm’s value around the league is now. There was a point last year, where he looked like he might be the favorite for 6th man of the year. I hope he continues that kind of play and someone views him as a real piece that can bring in the Clips some more PF depth. As it stands now, Kawhi is going to see a lot of PF minutes, probably PG too. I guess there is some hope Kobe Brown proves to be a potential rotation player too.

By: Tollis Hill

Tollis Hill — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 08:08:29 +0000

it worked its best when they ran a five out in Houston which is right up TL’s alley. What didn’t work is Houston was Harden’s work ethic and personality clashed with Westbrook. It will be interesting to see how Harden handles that as Kawhi and PG back Westbrook as being the leader.

By: Tollis Hill

Tollis Hill — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:36:07 +0000

The shot hasn’t come back. And truly he’s been off for a while now.

By: Tollis Hill

Tollis Hill — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:33:50 +0000

he wasn’t good in that roll in Atlanta. Lacks the awareness it seems.

By: Tollis Hill

Tollis Hill — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:28:43 +0000

so. Unless something drastically changes, expect this to be the guys we go into battle with for the next 15-20 games.

By: Tollis Hill

Tollis Hill — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:24:30 +0000

If they mix having a traditional big with spurts of five out, it can work. Just park Tucker in the corner. With the Quartet we can run out there, he will be forgotten. Also, don’t be surprised if we see more of Mann in that role against certain line ups.

By: Tollis Hill

Tollis Hill — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:17:18 +0000

I would actually like to keep the one they go from this trade. He can shoot it out to three and he’s on the cheap.

By: Tollis Hill

Tollis Hill — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 05:45:26 +0000

The five out with Tucker in Houston worked wonders for that pairing. If Tucker is up for small doses along with Mann, I can see a lot of five out happening.

By: Tollis Hill

Tollis Hill — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 05:37:26 +0000

Harden is vernally good for about 60 + games which is more than we can hope for with Kawhi and Paul. I even have more faith in Westbrook than in those two. But with Harden and Westbrook the bigger question.is how will their game age? Harden already has troubles getting by people and as a result gets to the line less. And Westbrook is predicated on his athleticism.