The Los Angeles Clippers have gone 15-3 in their last 18 games. Chris Paul has been sent home. The trade deadline is approaching, and the roster decisions are becoming clearer.
Chris Paul and Kobe Brown need to be moved
Paul has been separated from the team. Trading him opens a roster spot and helps the Clippers stay under the first apron line. The front office needs financial flexibility to sign Jordan Miller and Kobe Sanders to standard contracts. Keeping Paul on the roster while he sits at home doesn’t accomplish anything.
The Clippers declined Kobe Brown’s fourth-year option. He’s not part of the long-term plans. Packaging Brown and Paul in deadline deals could bring back someone like Svi Mykhailiuk from Utah, who’s shooting efficiently this season. Mykhailiuk would provide bench scoring that the current roster lacks.
Kawhi Leonard’s availability remains uncertain
Leonard is questionable for the Jazz game with a left knee contusion. He’s been in and out of the lineup throughout the season. When healthy, Leonard changes the ceiling of this team. The problem is he hasn’t been consistently available. Planning for a playoff run requires accounting for the possibility that Leonard won’t be at full strength. The roster needs to be built accordingly.
Kris Dunn is also on the injury report
Dunn is questionable with a right ankle sprain. If he’s out against Utah, Jordan Miller and Cam Christie would absorb his minutes. That works for a regular season game against the Jazz. It’s not a sustainable rotation for a playoff series. The depth issues become more apparent every time another name lands on the injury report.
The 15-3 stretch doesn’t solve the roster problems
The Clippers have climbed back into play-in range. The recent run has been impressive. The underlying roster issues still exist. Paul and Brown are taking up spots that could be used on players who fit the current direction. The front office has until February 5 to act. Standing pat with players who’ve already been told they’re not part of the plan doesn’t make sense when upgrades are available.