NBA Trade Rumors: Five Contenders That Need To Make A Move At The Deadline

Los Angeles Clippers

What They Need: Bench Help, Still

During the summer, the Los Angeles Clippers signed Josh Smith, Paul Pierce and traded for Lance Stephenson. With those additions – on paper, at least – it was thought that their bench issues would be long gone. Those three, in addition to their super sixth man Jamal Crawford, who they elected not to trade during the summer despite an abundant of rumors, were supposed to head a dangerous bench mob.

Instead, here we are, in January and the Clippers still have the same bench issues as they did last season. They’re a below average scoring bench unit that desperately needs help. During their most recent win streak, which has reached nine games, Doc Rivers has already thinned out his rotation. That won’t be good for a team that figures to play deep into the playoffs.

Blake Griffin‘s return from injury will help levitate some of those minutes for the starters, but it still isn’t known when exactly that will happen. I’m not sure who the Clippers should target on the trade market, but they need help.

Literally anyone not names Josh Smith or Lance Stephenson, who have only played in one of the team’s four games in 2016.

Next: Bulls