Less than 24 hours after seeing the Lakers host the last evening before the “trade deadline”, the Los Angeles Clippers responded to their neighbors by being among the main hosts of the last hours of the NBA market. Sixth in the Western Conference, the Californians have attracted three reinforcements. Second-year point guard Bones Hyland (1.90m, 22) arrives from Denver, against two second round picks. Barred by Jamal Murray and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, he still turned to 12.1 points and 3 average assists in Colorado.
The other two new Clippers plays are more experienced. The pivot Mason Plumlee (2.11m, 32 years old) leaves Charlotte after having achieved the best half-season of his career (12.2 points, 9.7 rebounds). He will serve as a back-up for Ivica Zubac to strengthen the interior sector at “LA”. In exchange, point guard Reggie Jackson was sent to the Hornets.
Eric Gordon finds him, his original franchise. Drafted in 2008 by the Clippers then traded in 2011 against Chris Paul, the shooting guard (1.90m, 34 years old) left Houston where he had been playing since 2016. He averaged 13.1 points this season. In the departures department, Luke Kennard joins Memphis while John Wall finds Houston … who had cut him off last summer, and who could start again.
Westbrook and Fournier did not move
Among the other notable moves of the evening, Denver holds its replacement pivot behind Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets convinced the Lakers to let go of Thomas Bryant (2.08m, 25), convincing during his interim as holder in the absence of Anthony Davis (12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds on average this season). Jae Crowder leaves Brooklyn where he had arrived in the exchange around Kevin Durant.
The winger is going to strengthen Milwaukee in exchange for five second round picks. Finally, the Warriors abandoned the James Wiseman project, second choice of the 2020 draft. Often injured and unconvincing, the pivot played only 60 games in two and a half seasons with Golden State. He goes to Detroit who will try to revive him.
Sent by the Lakers to Utah, Russell Westbrook finally did not move a second time Thursday night. But the leader (1.90m, 34 years old) could not last forever in Salt Lake City. At the end of the contract, he could be “cut” by the Jazz and find himself free to sign in the franchise of his choice, even after the “trade deadline” (limit which only concerns players under contract). Miami and the Los Angeles Clippers are among the interested teams.
Highlighted last Sunday with 17 points against Philadelphia, Evan Fournier will end the season in New York. The captain of the Blues at Euro 2022 was not traded by the Knicks and will remain in the Big Apple where his playing time has melted until he is removed from Tom Thibodeau’s rotation.
