NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers Expected To Make Trade Before 2020 Deadline, Eyeing Center, Forward

The Los Angeles Clippers are all in when it comes to trying to win the 2020 NBA Finals. They’ve been that way since the summer, trading a record haul of draft assets and their best young player in order to acquire Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. That mentality won’t stop in the hours ahead of the trade deadline.

Teams around the league expect the Clippers to make some kind of move by 3 p.m. EST Thursday. Los Angeles is reportedly looking to add a center or a wing, two pieces that could potentially help them defeat the L.A. Lakers in a playoff series.

The Lakers are 3.5 games ahead of the Clippers for the best record in the West. The Clippers have beaten their rivals in both head-to-head meetings, though stopping Anthony Davis in a seven-game series will prove to be difficult.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has speculated that the Clippers could try to acquire Andre Drummond, who appears to be very available. The Detroit Pistons’ big man has a $28.75 million player option for next season.

Drummond is averaging 15.8 rebounds per game, leading the NBA in boards for the fourth time in five years.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, the Clippers have some interest in Cleveland Cavaliers’ big man Tristan Thompson. Thompson is averaging 11.9 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.

Even after sending so many assets to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for George, the Clippers can still trade their 2020 first-round draft pick.

The Clippers might use their trade assets to acquire Marcus Morris. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on “The Jump” Wednesday afternoon it’s becoming increasingly likely that the New York Knicks will deal their leading scorer.

Both Los Angeles teams are in contention to trade for Morris. The Lakers aren’t allowed to trade a draft pick. A potential deal between the Lakers and Knicks would probably have to include Kyle Kuzma.

Wojnarowski noted that each L.A. team might be motivated to keep Morris from going to the other.

The same goes for Andre Iguodala, another forward that the top two teams in the West are eyeing. The Memphis Grizzlies are determined to trade the three-time champion. The Clippers’ first-rounder probably gives them an advantage over the Lakers.

Morris is averaging 19.6 points per game and shooting 43.9% from three-point range. Iguodala hasn’t played this season as he awaits a trade to a contender.