The Los Angeles Clippers could use a point guard who can create his own shot while holding his own on the defensive end.
They should call up an old trade partner.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder, a finalist for Sixth Man of the Year last year, would be an upgrade over the current Clipper guards.
Meanwhile, the Thunder would gain draft capital and a solid point guard who could net them another asset in a trade down the line.
The proposal
Thunder receive: Patrick Beverley, Joakim Noah, 2023 second-round pick (via Detroit Pistons), 2024 second-round pick
Warriors receive: Dennis Schroder
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Why the Thunder do it
Like many trades we’ll see here during draft week, the players Oklahoma City receives aren’t the draw of the trade.
Those second-round picks are far enough in the future that they still have some minor intrigue as picks that could be early in that round and can be used to beef up other trades over the next few years.
Beverley, meanwhile, should be an option for other teams looking for a defensive-minded point guard. He can attract either young talent from a team that needs a playoff-ready player, or a draft pick.
Noah can fill a Thunder need as well: not just a backup center, but, more importantly, an inexpensive backup center.
It’s not a glamorous deal, but the Thunder would continue piling up assets. If they do this deal and then trade Beverley before the season starts, the only salary they’d have out of Schroder’s $15.5 million is Noah’s $1.7 million plus whatever is the return for Beverley.
Why the Clippers do it
Stephen A. Smith reported that Kawhi Leonard has asked management to get a point guard who is a better creator and scorer.
If they’re looking for a simple trade that wouldn’t increase cap and wouldn’t cost the team depth, this is the move.
Beverley is a very good and important player, but Schroder’s ability to create and get into the lane on offense is something that Los Angeles was lacking this postseason.
Schroder has emerged as a better offensive threat than Beverley or even Lou Williams. He also plays much better defense than Williams, though not quite at Beverley’s level. His skill set would help the Clippers if Leonard or Paul George go through slow stretches in next year’s postseason.
In Schroder’s 22 playoff games since 2016, he has averaged 18.1 points and 4.9 assists per game while shooting 36.3% from 3 on 5.6 attempts per game.
He can play on- or off-ball, can defend, and was part of the Thunder lineup that had the best net rating in the clutch. That’s what the Clippers need. A player who can get it done when it matters.
Why the Thunder don’t do it
As much as Oklahoma City loves draft picks, it already has a ton of them. They don’t particularly need two more second-rounders, and could hold off on trading Schroder until they find a team willing to part with a young player who sparks the organization’s interest.
Additionally, if they are unable to trade Beverly, this does not help their cap situation. A perfect trade for Schroder would be a young, inexpensive player, not a relatively pricey player in his prime.
Why the Clippers don’t do it
They’re already essentially out of draft picks, thanks to Sam Presti and the Thunder. Trading two second-rounders doesn’t sound like a big deal, it’s all they have.
Through 2026, all their first-round picks are either being traded to the Thunder or New York Knicks, or agreed to be pick swaps. The only remaining draft capital is their 2020 and 2022-26 second-round picks, Detroit’s 2023 second-rounder and a 2022 Atlanta Hawks second-round pick that is protected up to pick 55 and unlikely to convey.
They may need to hold off on any more trades involving draft picks.
Who says no?
Maybe neither team. Maybe both. I think the Clippers should do it but might balk at giving away more picks, especially to the Thunder.
Oklahoma City, meanwhile, probably thinks it could acquire more for Schroder.
I think both teams could benefit from it.
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