For one reason or another, the Los Angeles Clippers have not performed to some standards. Many people expected this team to be a top flight contender in the Western Conference and while early on they struggled, as of late, they’ve gotten back to their winning ways and currently sit fourth in the Western Conference with a 13-9 record.
But earlier in the season during the Clippers early struggles the rumors of trades ran rampant. It was reported that they were willing to part ways with former Sixth man of the Year winner Jamal Crawford and also they reportedly tested the market on newly acquired but problematic players in Lance Stephenson and Josh Smith.
Doc Rivers, the Clippers head coach and President of Basketball Operations, has quickly quieted those rumors. For now.
Following from Dan Woike of the Orange County Register.
Doc Rivers vehemently denied that Clippers were making trade calls as Yahoo reported. "That’s silly talk. Nothing. No truth."
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) December 10, 2015
Technically, Doc can’t comment on the state of a deal involving Stephenson or Smith until December 15th because that’s when their contracts are eligible to be traded after they were acquired this offseason.
Making a deal will not make sense for LA. I couldn’t imagine a scenario in which the Clippers get better by trading any of the trio considering their value is very low right now. No one is waiting with baited breath to acquire three players who have underperformed this season.
