When both George and Leonard are back in health, the Clippers can focus on staying competitive, but the Clippers' current record isn't ideal and the team's condition is worrying. Although chris Haynes previously reported that Leonard's recovery has been faster than expected, and even a large comeback this season, some people inside the Clippers believe that his comeback is unlikely.
Only now, according to the latest US media reports, some people inside the Clippers have revealed that they believe leonard is unlikely to return this season. As has been seen from past cases, it can take 12 to 18 months for a player to recover from an ACL tear, and then another 6 to 12 months to recover before it can get the player back into elite player status.
With that in mind, several teams have already expressed interest in Ibaka, whose $9.7 million contract is about to expire, $9.7 million, and Winslow's $4.1 million next season.
The Clippers are in a strange position right now, their roster is so expensive, but their prospects are unclear. Leonard and George are in very uncertain shape... Another problem is that the Clippers' operations have been affected due to their uncertain status.
The Clippers have no momentum to trade for the time being, and injuries could prevent them from reaching the highest level of competitiveness. Of course, the Clippers will do their best to stay competitive, hoping leonard and George will come back, but they can also be proactive and save some money while getting ready for next season.
Winslow and Ibaka are the players they can trade, and the Clippers currently have a $93 million luxury tax and a $262 million roster. Money isn't an issue for the Clippers, but in reality, if you're not a title contender, you don't need to spend that much money.
Sending Winslow would save them nearly $22 million, and if they were to send Ibaka away, it would save them nearly $41 million, and leaving both would save them nearly $80 million. There's a lot of money to save and there's an incentive to send these people away, or anyone who isn't in the rotation. Should the Clippers make a deal with the Thunder to get Bledsoe off. If they can send all three players away, they may be lowered to the luxury tax line, but it may not be realistic to send all three players away.
(Text/Drunken Floating Life)