The Clippers acknowledge the decision to trade away Tobias Harris was difficult, but they believe it was necessary to build the perennial title contender they envision, writes Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times. Harris was sent to the Sixers last week in exchange for some assets — rookie guard Landry Shamet and a package of draft picks — that could be used to acquire another star, possibly Pelicans center Anthony Davis. They also hope to open enough cap space for two max offers in free agency with an eye on building the NBA’s next super team.
“I mean, it really stinks because you love the guy and what he means to the team,” president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said about losing Harris. “But what you have to do, you have to fast-forward and close your eyes and visualize. In order to build a sustainable championship contender, there are going to have to be some really hard and tough decisions to be made.”
Owner Steve Ballmer has instructed Frank and team consultant Jerry West to build for the future without sacrificing this season. The Clippers entered the All-Star break eighth in the West at 32-27 and remain confident they can make the playoffs without Harris.
There’s more news from Los Angeles:
- The Clippers were active at the trade deadline, but because they brought in so many players with expiring contracts, another roster shakeup is likely in the offseason, notes Dan Feldman of NBC Sports. Ivica Zubac, JaMychal Green, Garrett Temple and Wilson Chandler all have expiring contracts and may not return next season, depending how successful the organization is in free agency.
- Lakers president Magic Johnson believes the NBA has a different tampering standard for him than the rest of the league. In a video clip tweeted by Carolina Blitz, Johnson refuses to comment about the possibility of signing Kemba Walker this summer. “You know I can’t answer any questions about no players because every time I do it, I get fined, but anybody else do it, they don’t get fined, so I’m going to stay away from that,” Johnson said.
- In the wake of their failed attempt to land Davis, the Lakers have a leadership gap that has to be addressed by Johnson, GM Rob Pelinka, owner Jeanie Buss and LeBron James, writes Andy Kamenetzky of The Athletic.
No, Magic, the Bucks owner was fined too. Johnson strikes me as a deeply unintelligent man
If you ever watched his talk show, you’d KNOW he is a deeply unintelligent man. However, he has more money than about 1000 PhDs combined, so does it really matter?
Unintelligent?!?! Don’t let his lack of experience in the front office confuse you. You don’t get to his level of entrepreneurship or way of life being unintelligent.
Yes. Unintelligent. But smart and rich enough to put a good team around himself to be a great business man. “He just thowed him out the way” quote from Magic commentating a game. Not words of an intelligent man.
Magic is way too liked—often just for smiling. In addition he’s a less than good gm.
Deeply unintelligent is right. I agree
You guys have no clue.
kawhi to clips, butler to lakers, brow to celts, kemba to knicks, harris resigns sixers, durant to knicks/celts, wade retires, dirk returns
How would Boston sign Durant? What do you have a mega sign and trade for Smart and Rozier and just pay the crap out of Rozier to match salaries? Does Durant take the MLE for some reason? It’s not possible.
It’s unlikely, but it *is* possible. It would require KD to opt in, similar to CP3 with the Clips/Rockets.
Here’s a blog explaining the hurdles the Cs would have to overcome to team KD and AD up with Kyrie:
link to dangerc.art
Butler is good. But great in his mind. If he’s the 2md best player the team isn’t good enough. If he’s 3rd you have a chance
Great Magic! Now if we can just get them to fine you every time you open your mouth,,,
Anyone who thinks Magic Johnson is unintelligent is flat out delusional. Why would he think the NBA is against him? Just because he gets fined 500,000 and someone else gets fined 25,000? LOL!
He’s pretty incompetent at his job actually.
Go back and watch Magic interviews. Listen to how he talks. Unintelligent. But I give him credit for realizing that and making changes. Thowed=Threw to Magic. He said it during a game. He put smart people around himself and learned English.