The Los Angeles Clippers have made it clear they’re not going into full-scale rebuild mode after the trade of franchise big man Blake Griffin on Monday.
For Doc Rivers and Co., the idea is to reload on the fly while remaining competitive. It’s a plan that has not necessarily worked for other teams around the league.
But following Monday’s shocking trade, various suggestions have come out indicating that the Clippers plan on targeting impending free agent LeBron James during the summer.
Even if that is the case, this report from The Undefeated’s Marc Spears notes that James is not expected to even consider the Clippers this coming summer.
“Coach Doc Rivers, general manager Lawrence Frank and Hall of Fame executive Jerry West would have to make a water-to-wine sales pitch to James for the Clippers to even be in consideration,” Spears reported. “As of now, James is not expected to consider the Clippers as a free agent, a source close to him said. A source close to the Clippers said they also don’t expect James to consider them in free agency.
Based on James’ comments following the Griffin trade, this shouldn’t necessarily come as a surprise.
Among the teams expected to go hard after James, the Los Angeles Lakers are likely a better fit in Southern California. They are going to have a huge financial capital to lure more than one top-end free agent. As a collaborative talent, that’s going to be enticing to James.
The San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets are also expected to be among James’ top suitors. Just don’t expect the Clippers to join that group.