The Clippers desperately need a competent small forward if they’re to survive the Western Conference’s contender-crammed bloodbath.
So, naturally, they’re interested in trading for a guard.
Doc Rivers’ crew is apparently trying to deal for the Sixers’ Tony Wroten Jr., per Dan Woike of the Orange County Register:
Clippers are targeting G Tony Wroten in deal with Philly per sources
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) January 7, 2015
John Gonzalez of CSNPhilly.com confirmed the report, while providing reaction from the subject of these rumors himself, Wroten:
Hey Tony, you like L.A.?
“It’s a great city,” he said with a smile. “It’s close to home. The weather is a lot better.”
In the latest round of Sixers’ trade rumors, CSNPhilly.com confirmed the Clippers reached out and inquired about Tony Wroten. The story was first reported by the Orange County Register.
According to a league source, the conversation is in preliminary stages. It’s unclear what the Clippers would offer (or what the Sixers would want) for Wroten, but they were interested enough in the point guard to inquire. Wroten initially said he doesn’t pay attention to the trade rumors, then added “yeah, you hear it. You hear what you hear.” Wroten said he’s content to let the team and his agent handle the matter. He also said he expects to remain in Philadelphia, though he admitted that other teams asking about him is flattering.
“Yeah. Other teams want you,” Wroten said. “You must be doing something right. But it’s also a much better feeling when the team you’re on doesn’t let you go.” …
“I’m auditioning for everybody. But I was blessed and fortunate enough, with a few guys, who got to stay on this team. It’s like you feel wanted. I continue to play for the lovely fans and the lovely community and see where it takes us.”
Athletic, fast and explosive, with a developing jumper and improving court vision, Wroten would be an interesting fit for the Clippers. He’s not much of an off-ball scorer, but it’s amazing what happens when talent meets Chris Paul.
But Wroten isn’t a small forward. At 6’6″, he could perhaps play some small forward. During his time there this season, he’s posting a PER north of 38, per 82games.com. But that sample size is small—negligible, even. He’s a shooting guard who can double as the primary playmaker…kind of like Jamal Crawford.
Although the Clippers reportedly aren’t interested in trading Crawford, Wroten’s arrival would perhaps signal the end to that stance. Wroten is nowhere near the shooter that Crawford is—the former is shooting under 24 percent for his career from deep, while the latter is at 35.1 percent—but he’s younger. And cheaper. Pushing 35, Crawford may be looking for a new contract after this season. The Clippers hold a team option worth almost $5.7 million, so his future is really up to them. But they are also reaching a point where they must start coming up with contingency plans, given that Crawford, by age alone, cannot be their sixth man and second-unit spark plug of the future.
And if the Clippers loosen on that the whole “We’re not going to trade Crawford” thing, they might have the ability to put together an interesting package for someone else. Maybe the Nuggets, who have already unloaded Timofey Mozgov, are prepared to talk turkey on Wilson Chandler and willing to flip him for an expiring pact like Crawford.
Of course, the Clippers may just want Wroten in general, his listed position be damned. Almost anyone, even a relatively untested Wroten, is better than what they have there now.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com.
