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5 Early-Season Trade Targets for the Los Angeles Clippers

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By @Terri7589

Early-Season Trade Targets for the Los Angeles Clippers

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The Los Angeles Clippers have surprisingly struggled early in the season stemming mainly from their bench players. The Clippers have a number of bench players who are not contributing and should definitely be in trade talks. The issue the Clippers are facing is the fact that they are cap-strapped. With some movement, they could improve their bench greatly. These are five early-season trade targets for the Clippers.

5. Aaron Gordon (PF)

Aaron Gordon Trade
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5. Aaron Gordon (PF)

Aaron Gordon Trade
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Aaron Gordon is an injured promising rookie. He isn’t doing much for the Orlando Magic anytime soon so his value is dropping. His advantages are that he is young and, as a power forward, could model his game after the best power forward in the league, Blake Griffin. Gordon’s salary is a little high for the Clippers at $3.9 million and there is no timetable for his return, but a promising rookie may be better than an underperforming veteran.

4. Jarrett Jack (PG)

Jarrett Jack Trade
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4. Jarrett Jack (PG)

Jarrett Jack Trade
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Jarrett Jack would be a fair addition to the Clippers squad. He is most needed because Chris Paul doesn’t have a capable backup. Jack is averaging more points and rebounds than many of the Clippers' bench players in just over 25 minutes per game. Unfortunately, Jack’s salary of $6.3 million makes him nearly impossible for the Clippers to swing.

3. Festus Ezeli (C)

Festus Ezeli Trade
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3. Festus Ezeli (C)

Festus Ezeli Trade
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The Clippers need to play better defense, so they should be targeting big men. Festus Ezeli averages more rebounds in just over 11 minutes of play than 10 players currently on the Clippers' roster. Ezeli’s salary is at $1.1 million this season, which can be covered by the Clippers with what is left in their salary cap.

2. Tony Wroten (SF)

Tony Wroten Trade
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2. Tony Wroten (SF)

Tony Wroten Trade
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Tony Wroten would be a hard steal since he is the Philadelphia 76ers' leading scorer. Wroten records 16.3 points per game. He could actually take the starting spot from Matt Barnes since both are at the small forward position. Wroten is averaging over seven points more than Barnes per game. His salary of $1.2 million this year would be a great pickup for the Clippers.

1. Tyler Zeller (C)

Tyler Zeller Trade
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1. Tyler Zeller (C)

Tyler Zeller Trade
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Tyler Zeller is a player the Clippers should definitely be going after if they want to improve their defense. Zeller averages 5.2 rebounds and 9.2 points in 19 minutes of play. DeAndre Jordan doesn’t have a true backup. With Spencer Hawes injured, and Glen Davis and Hedo Turkoglu not performing well, the Clippers desperately need a backup center. With a trade, the Clippers could get Zeller and his $1.7 million salary this season.

Terri Washington is a Los Angeles Clippers writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter @Terri7589, “Like” her on Facebook or add her to your network on Google

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