Are the Clippers, Rockets and Nets planning a three-party deal?

After losing to the Nuggets, the Clippers fell on the road to the championship again. As it turns out, the strength of the Clippers who lost Paul George has dropped significantly. Even if Leonard returns to his previous level, he will not be able to lead the team to break through the first round of the playoffs in the fiercely competitive West. Boss Ballmer has informed general manager Trent Raden that he doesn't care about paying luxury taxes as long as he can win the NBA championship. According to TheAthletic reporter Danny Leroux, if Harden and Batum choose the execution player option and the Clippers management abandons the execution of Eubanks' non-guaranteed contract, general manager Raden will also have $17 million in cap space to strengthen. After boss Ballmer relaxes his total recruitment salary, the Clippers are expected to get an All-Star player through the free agent market.

However, there are often great variables in the free agent market. Players with outstanding strength are the targets for each team. The Clippers management cannot completely put the hope of strengthening the free agent market. Recently, the US media FW suggested that the three teams, the Clippers, Rockets and Nets, will negotiate on a three-party trading offer during the offseason this summer. If the negotiations go smoothly, Jabbarry Smith Jr. will go to Los Angeles to assist Harden and Leonard. Inside defense expert Zhao Si is expected to land in Houston. The specific trading plan is:

1. The Clippers send Chris Dunn + Drew Eubanks + 2025 Thunder's first round pick ( No. 30th pick) + 2031 Clippers' first round pick won Jabarry Smith Jr.;

2. Rockets sent Jabarry Smith Jr. + Jock Landale to Nicholas Clarkston;

3. Nets sent Nicholas Clarkston to get Chris Dunn + Jock Landale + Drew Eubanks + 2025 Thunder's first round pick (30th pick) + 2031 Clippers' first round pick.

Clarxton is a blue-collar insider who lacks spatial attributes and independent offensive methods, and has poor shooting ability from mid to long distances. But as a defender, his protection and blocking ability in small penalty areas are top-notch. He averaged 26.9 minutes per game this season, contributing 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 blocks, and his shooting percentage is 56.3%. Rockets starter center Shin Kyung is an inside line with rich offensive means, outstanding passing ability and slow movement on the defensive end. Clarkston's technical characteristics are very complementary to Shin Kyung, and the two partners in the inside are expected to achieve better results. But this deal is a double-edged sword for the Rockets. Jabbarry Smith Jr. is a rare high-quality 3D in the league today. It can adapt to a variety of tactical systems and has huge potential for future development.

For the Clippers, Harden, Kat, Zubac and Powell in the starting lineup played a stable role, and their role was difficult to replace, and their position was stable, but their strength was weak in the power forward position. Head coach Tyron Lu had to use 36-year-old veteran Batum to fill the vacancy. Jabbarri, Jr., averaged 30 minutes per game this season, scored 12.2 points, 7 rebounds and 1.1 assists. He is only 22 years old, has outstanding static talent and good running and jumping skills. With the accumulation of experience in the competition and his playing style becoming increasingly tough, his abilities and potential are above Batum. In addition, Jabbarri Jr. still has a one-year rookie bonus period, which will not affect the strengthening work of General Manager Rayden. Nets management can start reconstruction with this tripartite deal, and Clarkston's operation in exchange for two first-round picks is in line with general manager Sean Max's trading expectations.

All views refer to authoritative American media and are for reference only. Click to follow and recommend fans first.