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The LA Clippers have started the 2020-21 NBA Season strongly with a 7-4 record and a top-3 offensive rating behind the performances of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
However, they have a few areas for improvement. Now that teams have had an initial opportunity to survey what they may need going forward, the LA Clippers have the opportunity to address the issues in their roster before the NBA trade deadline.
Five players the LA Clippers could target before the NBA trade deadline:
During the off-season, the LA Clippers shrewdly brought in several pieces to bolster their roster with the aim of better returns in this year's playoffs.
In came Serge Ibaka, Nicolas Batum and Luke Kennard. While all three have hit the ground running, the LA Clippers still lack an effective point guard and defensive depth, as their bench struggles to support the starting unit.
Considering the same, the franchise may wish to bring in an all-round floor general if they are to make a serious championship attempt.
Patrick Beverley's defensive prowess may get in the way of any potential trade the LA Clippers could make for a replacement point guard. Therefore they may look to move on some of their other pieces.
Aside from the guard position, Ty Lue could benefit from additional scoring when Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are rested at various points during the season. Without their two superstars, the LA Clippers have struggled this campaign.
On that note, let's take a look at five players the LA Clippers could target before the trade deadline.
#1 Kyle Lowry
One of the areas the LA Clippers front office may look to improve midway through the season is the point guard position.
While it would be difficult to imagine Kyle Lowry in a uniform other than that of the Toronto Raptors, rumors have been growing rife about the veteran's future with the franchise.
The Toronto Raptors have traded away several key pieces from their title-winning team. Therefore, to fully embrace their bit-part rebuild, they may look at offloading Lowry in place of a younger talent.
Lowry has a lot to offer the LA Clippers, who are in search of an elusive NBA Conference Finals appearance and the opportunity of a ring.
Along with his championship experience alongside current Clipper Kawhi Leonard, Lowry could be the LA Clippers' third scorer. Even at 34, Lowry is averaging 19.4 points and seven assists per game to start the season, which is considerably more than Patrick Beverley, who would undoubtedly be involved in any trade.
#2 George Hill
Focusing further on the point guard position, the LA Clippers could look to attain George Hill from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
A leader at the Thunder among their developing talent, Hill has helped lead the franchise to an unexpected 5-4 start to the season.
The veteran is averaging 11.9 points per game so far this season while starring alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the Thunder.
Hill led the league in 3-point percentage last season with 46 and could be a reliable starter or bench player for the LA Clippers.
#3 Eric Gordon
Should the LA Clippers choose to keep Patrick Beverley due to his defensive prowess, they may instead look to improve their bench scoring by bringing in Eric Gordon from the Houston Rockets.
Gordon has been the franchise's go-to-guy when star James Harden has had off-days and shoots the ball erratically.
Gordon is perhaps one of the league's most underrated players, averaging 16.5 points throughout his career.
He can play both the shooting guard and small forward positions. His flexibility off the bench could be vital to Ty Lue, who has struggled to replicate the threat that Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams produced last season as the sixth men.
#4 Lonzo Ball
Making a move for Lonzo Ball would provide the LA Clippers with a legitimate all-round point guard who could come in despite the franchise's financial limitations.
Beverley is an outstanding defensive asset that the LA Clippers could be reluctant to let go but who in the future may hamper their playoff chances.
NBA champion teams have had talismanic point guards - Kyrie Irving, Steph Curry and Kyle Lowry - to name a few, something the LA Clippers should take a note of.
Lonzo Ball could alleviate Leonard and George off their current duties as the Clippers' primary ball-handlers as a do-it-all guard, as he currently averages 12 points, four assists and four rebounds per game.
#5 Eric Bledsoe
After getting cast off to the New Orleans Pelicans in the off-season, Eric Bledsoe could provide the explosiveness the LA Clippers currently need from a two-way guard.
Bledsoe, who was an integral part of the Milwaukee Bucks' strong defensive unit over the years, could benefit the Clippers with his flexibility on the floor.
Ty Lue may have to drop Beverley to the bench if this trade were to come of, as.Bledsoe's career stats and defensive prowess are superior to that of the LA Clippers point guard.
