Rumor Mill-Kawhi Upset-Possible Trade Request (P. 2)

NBA Rumors: Anonymous executive believes Kawhi Leonard, Paul George won't fetch value for LA Clippers https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-nba-rumors-anonymous-executive-believes-kawhi-leonard-paul-george-fetch-value-la-clippers “They’re not going to get value for those guys (Leonard, George) in any sort of deals," one anonymous NBA executive said. "They just miss too many games, and that’s ruined the culture. Not knowing from night to night if you’re going to have PG or Kawhi just killed them. They’ve got some really good character guys on their team, but the culture is bad.” I believe that the following trades aren't getting full value for the Clippers. Clippers trade Paul George to Charlotte for #4 (Amen Thompson) and....

Trading both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George is difficult, but that would be blotted out by the Clippers drafting the Thompson Twins. Both are phenomenally gifted athletically and have high basketball IQs, great playmaking skills, and a great work ethic. Most importantly, they're stellar defenders, which fits in with the Clippers wanting two-way players.

Ironically their father wanted them to pattern their fire and spirit after Russell Westbrook. They may be bigger, more athletic versions of Russell Westbrook, but unfortunately, they may shoot like him, too. If they can shoot as well as Terance Mann has learned to shoot, they'll be okay. Also, I hope they take care of the ball. Elite Overtime is nowhere near the level of the NBA.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a 6'6" (6'11" wingspan) point guard. Amen Thompson is a 6'7" (6'11" wingspan) point guard. Ausar Thompson is a 6'7" (7'0" wingspan) shooting guard with point guard skills. Picture two more athletic Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's on this Clipper team.

Add in Kenny Atkinson who's the NBA's best young talent developer as a head coach. Get them acclimated to Golden State's system of passing and attacking the basket coupled with Atkinson's pushing-the-pace offense. Amen and Ausar Thompson would have the Clipper's crowd as electrified as the heyday of Darius Miles and Quentin Richardson head-bumping their way up and down the court.

[FULL GAME] Amen & Ausar Thompson play against pros for the first time | Overtime vs Omaha Blue

This is a video showing Amen and Ausar Thompson going against ex-college and semi-professional players. The experience and physicality of these players gave them problems. They weren't able to have their way in the paint like they did against other Overtime Elite competition. Their outside shooting was non-existent. They had some nice blocks on defense, but too often they were like a Paul George turnstile as they went for the steal. They'll both need to put on about 20 lbs in order to stand up to the rigors of the NBA. The talent is still there, but going from Overtime Elite to the NBA is about as wide as the Grand Canyon.

Calm down. You're making a ton of nonstop posts on moves that have about a 10% chance of actually happening

Easy there Mike Smith

These moves may have about a 10% chance of actually happening, but it shows the bold moves that the Clippers can do to rid themselves of the 213 Era. Right now, it'll probably stick in the craw of most Clipper fans that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made First Team All-NBA. Although they don't have Shai's mid-range jumper, Amen and Ausar Thompson are similarly as skilled as Shai, and as twins coming from Overtime Elite, it makes theirs a compelling story. In one of their games, the announcer said wistfully, "If only an NBA team could get the two of them together."

If we're going to run it back the Clippers can do the following:

Let go of Eric Gordon's non-guaranteed $20 mil salary.

Cut Marcus Morris, Sr., and stretch his contract over three years.

Trade Robert Covington somewhere and receive nothing in return.

This allows the Clippers to re-sign Mason Plumlee and Russell Westbrook (to the taxpayer MLE).

If the Clippers can find someone who'll take on Marcus Morris Sr's salary and give nothing in return, the Clippers can keep Eric Gordon or Robert Covington.

But that has a less than 10% chance of actually happening.

I'm sensing you like these Thompson kids

I like them because they're gifted athletically, intelligent, and most of all, like to play defense. At 6'7", with 6'11"-7'0" wingspans, they're tall, athletic players. The two of them playing together would provide synergy for the Clippers and become one of the compelling stories in the NBA. Instead of always asking, "How does it feel trading Kawhi Leonard and Paul George?" the question becomes, "How are the Thompson Twins adjusting to the NBA?"

This guy sums up perfectly why I like Amen and Ausar Thompson for the Clippers.

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Phoenix acquired Kevin Durant for Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Juan Pablo Vaulet, 2023 first-round pick (from Phoenix), 2025 first-round pick (from Phoenix), 2027 first-round pick (from Phoenix), 2028 first-round pick swap (from Phoenix), 2028 second-round pick (from Milwaukee), 2029 first-round pick (from Phoenix,) and 2029 second-round pick (from Milwaukee)

Dallas acquired Kyrie Irving and Markief Morris for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, 2027 second-round pick, 2029 first-round pick (unprotected), and 2029 second round pick.

Clippers trade Kawhi Leonard to Portland for #5 (Ausar Thompson) and Jerami Grant.

Clippers trade Paul George to Charlotte for #4 (Amen Thompson) and Gordon Hayward.

Despite the injuries and load management, the Clippers are not getting value for Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, but they have the opportunity of a lifetime to add two generational talents.

trade baby trade