NBA Trade Machine: Can LA Clippers acquire Jakob Poeltl by selling key assets like Marcus Morris Sr.?
The LA Clippers have one of the deepest rosters in the NBA, but they are thin in one department. The Clippers don't have an adequate backup for starting center Ivica Zubac. They have used Moses Brown in rotation when playing big lineups. But Brown is yet to prove that he is a reliable option as a reserve center.
According to multiple NBA rumors, the Clippers are interested in trading for San Antonio Spurs' coveted center Jakob Poeltl. He is among the veteran group of players the Spurs are interested in moving as they continue to dive deep into their rebuild.
Poeltl is averaging 11.8 rebounds, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 blocks per game, shooting 62.0% from the field. These are solid numbers in a limited role. The 27-year-old is in the final year of his three-year $26.2 million contract and is owed $9.3 million this season.
The LA Clippers will face stern competition for Poeltl's signature ahead of the trade deadline, with rivals like the LA Lakers and Golden State Warriors also rumored to be interested in Poeltl's services.
However, the Clips haven't shown any hesitation in making the moves needed to claim a championship win, regardless of the cost. They also have the assets to move around to secure a deal for a heavily courted player in the trade market.
Will a piece like Marus Morris Sr., among others, help LA Clippers land Jakob Poeltl?
Marcus Morris Sr. seems like a piece the LA Clippers shouldn't have problems with trading to reinforce other positions. LA is stacked with wing depth. Morris has been crucial for the team in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George's absence and has made the starting power forward position of his own since his arrival.
He has had another solid year, averaging 12.9 points and shooting 38.0% from 3-point range. Morris isn't a difference-maker for the team, especially with other players like Norman Powell, Robert Covington and Luke Kennard stepping up. The Clippers also have Nicolas Batum lined up as his direct replacement in the starting power forward slot.
Marcus Morris Sr., 33, is owed $33 million over the next two seasons, so the Clippers will also get some salary flexibility by moving him. Considering his age, this would be an ideal time to cash in on him. The San Antonio Spurs would be among the teams who wouldn't mind absorbing his salary.
They are projected to have $70 million in cap space next offseason. So even though Jakob Poeltl is owed almost half of what Morris will earn this season, a trade between the Clippers and Spurs could be possible. However, LA will likely have to attach a first-round pick as compensation for the Spurs accepting a salary dump move.
The LA Clippers may also have to add young pieces like Brandon Boston Jr. and Amir Coffey as sweeteners.