NBA Trade Rumors: 3 Players the Clippers need to trade away

The Los Angeles Clippers have lost their star trio of Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, and DeAndre Jordan during the last 18 months, although the team has somehow managed to stay competitive.

During an injury-plagued 17/18 season, the Clippers managed to win 42 games, although the team narrowly missed out on a playoff spot. This season is shaping up to be even better, as the team has quietly ascended towards the top of the Western Conference standings thanks to an impressive 17-13 start to the season. The Clippers currently have a better record than teams such as the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, which is an impressive achievement, as the Clippers team lacks any stars.

Nevertheless, this could change in the summer, as the franchise has a genuine belief that they can lure All-Star Kawhi Leonard. Despite this, the Clippers will still feel as though they are in a position to compete this season, and here are three players that could be moved on, so that the Clippers can pursue other targets.

#3 Milos Teodosic

Milos Teodosic has failed to step up since the departure of DeAndre Jordan

Milos Teodosic did not make his NBA debut until he was nearly 30 years old, however, he was a useful player to the Clippers last season. The guard averaged 9.5 points, 4.6 assists and 2.8 rebounds in his 45 appearances, and it looked as though the Serbian would continue to improve in his second season.

Despite this, the former Euroleague star has seen a reduction to his minutes this season. The 31-year-old is averaging just 10 minutes per game, which is a major decrease from the 25.2 that he averaged during the 17/18 season. Teodosic himself has stated that he is ready to leave the franchise, and the Clippers should look to offload the player this month.

#2 Patrick Beverley

Patrick Beverley has struggled to have much of an effect on the Clippers team this season

Patrick Beverley's most notable moment of the season so far was when he clashed with Russell Westbrook during the fourth quarter of the Clippers 128-110 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The incident showed that Beverley is still one of the most driven and passionate players in the league, although his on-court performances have been disappointing this season.

Last season, Beverley averaged 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals, although the 30-year-old is only averaging 24.7 minutes a game this year, and both his point and steal totals have nearly halved.

The Clippers seem to have somewhat discarded Beverley, and he will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Beverley remains one of the best defensive guards in the NBA, so the team should look to trade the veteran while they can still get something in return.

#1 Marcin Gortat

Despite regularly starting, Gortat is playing just 20 minutes per-game

Marcin Gortat is a veteran of the NBA, although his impact is still questionable. The Polish player was drafted in the second round of the 2005 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns, and the centre has also spent spells with the Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards.

The 34-year-old joined the Clippers back in June when he was traded for Austin Rivers, although he has yet to positively influence the team. Gortat has started 23 games this season, although he is managing a near career low of 5.3 points-per-game, and he is also recording his lowest number of rebounds (5.7) in seven seasons.

The centre has failed to develop a shot from behind the arc and his salary of $13,565,218 makes him one of the highest earners on the team. Gortat will become a free agent this summer, so once again, the Lakers need to trade away the player while they can get something in return.