Shams reported that DeRozan signed and then traded to the Kings for 76 million in a three-way deal. There are three teams competing for DeRozan today, the Clippers, the Kings and the Heat, with the Heat dropping out of the race, the Kings holding the edge and the Clippers second. The end result was unexpected, and the king still won. Because the Kings found the Spurs as a third-party team, the Clippers suddenly came to a standstill. Whoever is more ambitious and courageous will be more in control of the future.
In terms of chips, the Clippers are losing this wave of blood, and they can get DeRozan at this price. In a three-way deal, the Kings took DeRozan. The Bulls were rewarded with Duarte, two second-round picks and cash. The Spurs get Barnes and a first-round swap right in 2031. These three teams actually made the most money for the Spurs, who took the good Barnes as a middleman and got the 31-year first-round swap right. The Kings were satisfied with the low price of DeRozan, and the Bulls took Duarte, a young man, with two second-rounders and cash returns.
If the Clippers are willing to add a first-round pick to Tuckerway, they can take DeRozan from the Bulls. But they hesitated, holding on to the first-round pick. We don't know what the Clippers are afraid of? But today they lost two heavyweight class recruits. One is Bridges of the Hornets, with a three-year contract of 75 million and DeRozan three-year 76 million. The price of both of them is not expensive, and winning one of them is enough for the Clippers to rush in the new season. DeRozan played for the Bulls for three seasons, averaging 25.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.1 steals in 36.7 minutes per game while shooting 49.6/33.6/86.7% from three.
What about the Clippers now? There are already 8 defenders in the team, all of whom can play mahjong. And then who will lead the playoffs next season? Asking Harden to go to C again? The contract he signed with the Clippers is only 70 million for 2 years, and according to the Clippers' not taking DeRozan and Little Joe, it is estimated that they want to use Harden as a little donkey and continue to grind endlessly. Because can the Clippers count on Leonard? Can you expect him to play a season, including the playoffs, in good health?
It is obvious that the Clippers will have to lead the team in the new season. Leonard is basically in a lying position, and the Clippers have seen him as a marginal figure. What do you mean? Leonard is more like a lottery machine, you can play naturally, it doesn't matter if you don't play, we also have Harden with a regular season guarantee. Anyway, moving into a new arena is mainly to make money, leaving Harden to lead the regular season cheaply, and using Leonard as a commercial gimmick mascot.
If Leonard can be healthy for a year, then naturally there is no problem, Harden and Leonard can still make trouble. But there is a high probability that Harden will shoulder the responsibility, so all the operations of the Clippers after the opening of the free market revolve around Harden. Batum, who can open up space, Jones, a 3-and-D forward, Porter Jr., who has excellent catch-and-shoot shooting, and Dunn, a defensive giant, and Bamba, a big man who focuses on shooting. All of these players' attributes are built around Harden.
What are the strengths of Harden? Give him a bunch of 3D sappers and he'll lead the playoffs, which is the simplest configuration. Harden's tandem ability and singles are the most cost-effective mode to get into the playoffs with a group of blue-collar workers. Is it really good news for Harden? The team is squeezing you with oil. If DeRozan and Joe Jr. can be introduced, at least they can share the pressure and consumption of Harden leading the team in the regular season, after all, DeRozan is a famous iron man with an extremely high attendance rate. Now that the Clippers are on this lineup, Harden is under a lot of pressure, and if he doesn't complete a multi-person trade in the future, it will be difficult for the Clippers to start a new season.