By D. Biderman - PB1112@aol.com - dmiles21ebrand42

Lamar Odom, Darius Miles, Elton Brand, Michael Olowokandi, and Quentin Richardson. These five players all have two things in common: They are the future of the Los Angeles Clippers, and none of them were born any earlier than 1975. This season has been a learning experience for the Clippers, and unfortunately, they had to learn things the hard way. They had to deal with many injuries, losing Lamar Odom, their marquee player, for most of the season to wrist and ankle sprains, had their back-up point guard (Keyon Dooling) out since early November, and back-up small forward/shooting guard out since February. They have had to sign three different players (Tremaine Fowlkes, Doug Overton, and Eldridge Recasner) to multiple ten day contracts, and through all of this, they have been fighting for a spot in the playoffs.

The Clippers lack a veteran to step up and fill in holes when they exist. At the beginning of the season the Clippers couldn't win on the road, but were unstoppable on home-court. However, in the last 20 games of the season, their fast-pace, home-court play has deteriorated drastically, and lack of a veteran leader is partially responsible. Sean Rooks, back-up center to Michael Olowokandi, has been in 3 playoff series in his career (with the Lakers), and Eric Piatkowski has been in one playoff series with the Clippers in 1997, in which the team was swept three games to none. Considering that both are role players, their experience in the post season (not much, but better than the rest) will not help guide their team past the Utah Jazz, a team with Hall of Fame veterans who have made the post season for 18 years in a row. This is why the Clippers need a tough, talented veteran on their roster if they ever want to reach the playoffs, and the only way they can get that is by means of a trade.

If the Clippers were to make a trade it would be to not only get a veteran on the team, but to also fill in positions that might be left open after free agents sign with other teams. Luckily, the Clippers only have to deal with two key players that have completed contracts at the end of the season: Jeff McInnis, and Michael Olowokandi (restricted). Elgin Baylor has tried to heavily influence Donald Sterling (Clipper owner) to spend some money on Olowokandi and sign him to a long-term deal before another team can, but the signing of McInnis hasn't been talked about much. This is because, while Jeff McInnis is a great shooter, the Clippers are looking for a pass-first, shoot-second point guard, which McInnis is not. With the players that the Clippers have, the team is not benefitting from having a point guard that would rather score than get an assist. So, assuming that Jeff McInnis is signed during the off-season, and Olowokandi is, the Clippers would be left without an older player to lead the team to the playoffs, absolutely no depth at the point guard position, and would be leaving Darius Miles on the bench. There line-up would look something like this:

Starters:

Keyon Dooling
Quentin Richardson
Lamar Odom
Elton Brand
Michael Olowokandi

Key Bench:

Corey Maggette
Sean Rooks
Darius Miles

This team could be much worse, but could be much better. Assuming that the Clippers stay in the position that they are in throughout the season, they would receive the number 13 draft pick, and also the number 8 pick from Atlanta (via the Lorenzen Wright deal). With these two picks they could pick up two great players to fill their empty spots, such as a good point guard, and a worthy back up center. They may get players like Curtis Borchardt, Dan Dickau, Chris Marcus, Frank Williams, and maybe even Dajuan Wagner, but this still wouldn't fill the void of a veteran to lead the team. One trade that the Clippers could try to pull of is with Seattle, to try to get all-star point guard Gary Payton. To do this, they might have to give up three players, and even make the trade quite lop-sided, but it would be worth it to make the playoffs for the first time since the 1996-97 season. First they would have to send Lamar Odom. Although Odom has proven that he is an all-star caliber player, he has been tested positive for drugs more than once, and keeping him would mean leaving Darius Miles on the bench. They would also have to put Maggette in the deal. Corey has shown some brilliant flashes, and has an amazing work ethic, but keeping him means Quentin Richardson on the bench. Although Maggette may become an all-star in future seasons, it would be well worth it to get a player like Gary Payton. Lastly, they would also have to throw in the draft pick that they receive from Atlanta. The pick that they get from Atlanta could bring in a very talented player, however the last thing that the Clippers need is more young blood. If they were to do this they would be picking up quite a hefty contract (14 million in the 2002-03 season) they would also avoid having to sign Lamar Odom to a big contract (free agent at the end of next season), and the same with Maggette. Making a trade like this could not only result in the clippers making the post season this coming up year, but could lead them to many other successful years to come. A roster after this trade would look something like this:

Starters:

Gary Payton
Quentin Richardson
Darius Miles
Elton Brand
Michael Olowokandi

Main Bench:


Keyon Dooling
Eric Piatkowski
Sean Rooks


Hopefully the Clippers will be busy over the off season trying to work out something like this, and if they do, their could be a strong rivalry brewing at the Staples Center between the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Los Angeles Clippers.