Hypothetical Deadline Scenario: Clippers Falter, Kawhi Going to Opt-Out

[GreenlyGreeny]

Let’s say the Clippers fall into disarray and Kawhi makes it clear that he’s opting out after this season if they do not trade him to a contender. Say Kawhi is also intrigued by the prospect of going to the Celtics in order to stop LeBron’s Lakers in the Finals. If that came to pass, would you do this trade with there still being uncertainty about whether Kawhi sticks around beyond this season:

https://tradenba.com/trades/lY76quR9e

To me, it’s a no-brainer. I’d even consider adding the 2023 1st if necessary. Imagine this roster:

Smart/Teague/Pritchard/Edwards
Brown/Langford
Leonard/Nesmith
Tatum/Theis/Ojeyele/G. Williams
TT/R. Williams

Dump Green and Jefferson for a heavily protected second, and bring in a contract buy-out as the 15th man (or use the TPE).

There’s a chance we can convince Kawhi to end his career with us, to become the next KG. Imagine the jubilation after defeating LeBron’s Lakers—how could he walk away from that? Can PP get on the phone with Kawhi and convince him why the Celtics ought to be home instead of the Clippers?

[Ogaju]

Does Kawhi look to you like he cares?

[GreenlyGreeny]

Does Kawhi look to you like he cares?

He did in Toronto in 2019.

Well, it’s obvious George is not the number two guy he needed and his supporting cast is not good enough to be equivalent to a Big 3. He’s gotta be disappointed by it, especially seeing AD/LeBron own LA. If I were him, I’d love to have a legit Big 3 with Tatum and Brown, especially if it means dethroning LeBron at long last.

[Roy H.]

If all it took was Kemba plus picks, I think you have to.

[GreenlyGreeny]

If all it took was Kemba plus picks, I think you have to.

Agree. I can also see the scenario where the Clippers think they are calling Kawhi’s bluff, he opts-out, and next off-season we are contenders for his services via sign-and-trade involving Kemba and/or TPE.

Kawhi was brilliant putting in the opt-out after two seasons. He effectively controls his destiny more than most any player in the league. If the Clippers are not obvious contenders in a few weeks, I bet he’s going to pull this card to get himself back into the NBA spotlight and back to the top. All it takes is him saying he’s opting out and he’s only re-signing with, say, the Celtics, and we’ve got him for Kemba. We have to put ourselves in Kawhi’s shoes: If the Clippers are not going to compete and he wants to force a trade somewhere east, to avoid the Lakers outside the Finals, where is a better place than Boston, especially if you want to beat LA in the Finals?

[slamtheking]

If all it took was Kemba plus picks, I think you have to.

Agree. I can also see the scenario where the Clippers think they are calling Kawhi’s bluff, he opts-out, and next off-season we are contenders for his services via sign-and-trade involving Kemba and/or TPE.

Kawhi was brilliant putting in the opt-out after two seasons. He effectively controls his destiny more than most any player in the league. If the Clippers are not obvious contenders in a few weeks, I bet he’s going to pull this card to get himself back into the NBA spotlight and back to the top. All it takes is him saying he’s opting out and he’s only re-signing with, say, the Celtics, and we’ve got him for Kemba. We have to put ourselves in Kawhi’s shoes: If the Clippers are not going to compete and he wants to force a trade somewhere east, to avoid the Lakers outside the Finals, where is a better place than Boston, especially if you want to beat LA in the Finals?

I don't see the Clips just taking Kemba despite the number of picks (which I hate to throw away our ability to add cheap talent to that extent) so I think there'd have to be more players going their way as well as a crappy contract/player coming our way for them to bite no matter how much of a stink Kawhi might make.

Kemba would have to show he can still play at all-star level to even begin the discussion. 

would really have to get Kawhi to buy in to resigning with the team (ala KG) before making the deal.  potentially one year of Kawhi that may not pan out for a lot of assets that leaves the team no real path to contention would not be a deal I'd make.

[ETNCeltics]

They aren't going to fall into disarray. That abomination the other night notwithstanding, they have the best record in the West, and they're one of the 3 or 4 best teams in the league.

[Birdman]

What Kawhi want, Kawhi will get in LA..he not going anywhere

[moiso]

What Kawhi want, Kawhi will get in LA..he not going anywhere

I don't think he's going anywhere either.  I wonder if he would sour on George and quietly ask for him to be traded at some point though.  Neither of them seems to be very good for the Clippers culture, with Kawhi taking days off and George not seeming to pull his weight in games many times.