The Los Angeles Clippers had maybe the worst start of any team that was supposed to be good last season. Six and twenty-one. That’s not a typo. And according to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Clippers made some phone calls during that nightmare stretch to see what it would take to pry Jaden McDaniels away from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Scotto reported that the Clippers “poked around” on McDaniels while they were also gauging trade interest in both Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. Minnesota said no, which isn’t surprising. McDaniels is 24, signed to a team-friendly deal, and is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. The Timberwolves aren’t exactly shopping him.
What’s interesting here is the timing. The Clippers didn’t just lose a few games. They looked broken. Kawhi and Harden weren’t clicking, the bench was thin, and the roster construction felt like a bet that didn’t pay off. Management was clearly open to drastic changes. That’s why they were asking around on Leonard and Harden at the same time.
A Deal That Actually Happened
We know how this ended. Harden got traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers before the deadline. The return was Darius Garland, who the Clippers see as a long-term piece. Leonard stayed put, and the team finished strong enough to sneak into the play-in. But the 6-21 hole was too deep.
Scotto’s report doesn’t say whether the Clippers offered Leonard or Harden for McDaniels specifically. It’s possible they were just doing their due diligence, calling around to see who was available. But the fact that they specifically checked in on McDaniels tells you something about what they value. Length. Defense. Versatility. A guy who can guard multiple positions and doesn’t need the ball to be effective.
Where the Clippers Are Now
The NBA Draft is Tuesday night. The Clippers hold the fifth overall pick, which they got from the Indiana Pacers in the Ivica Zubac trade. That pick only conveyed because it landed outside the top four, so that worked out.
Kawhi Leonard is coming off arguably the best regular season of his career. He stayed healthy for the most part and looked like a two-way monster again. But the Clippers are still a long way from being a real contender in the West. The question nobody has a clean answer for is: do you build around a 33-year-old superstar who’s had major injury problems, or do you pivot?
Drafting at five gives them options. They could take a young wing, maybe someone like Matas Buzelis or Ron Holland. They could also trade the pick for a veteran who fits better alongside Leonard. Or they could do what they reportedly tried to do in December and go after a young defender like McDaniels. Minnesota already said no once. Doesn’t mean they won’t call back.
One thing is clear: the Clippers aren’t running it back with the same roster. They’ve already made one big move in the Harden deal. More are probably coming.
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