Clippers coach Tyronn Lue signals minimal trade deadline activity.
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue revealed that he doesn't anticipate much roster movement for his team as the February 5 trade deadline approaches.
Speaking at practice, Lue addressed the constant trade speculation that has surrounded the Clippers this season.
"In our situation I don't see much movement, so I think we'll be good," Lue said.
Recent Hot Streak Changes the Conversation
The Clippers currently sit at 20-24 on the season and hold the No. 10 spot in the Western Conference standings.
That record is a far cry from where the team was just a few weeks ago when injuries and inconsistent play had them buried near the bottom of the conference.
Los Angeles has turned things around in a big way by winning 14 of their last 17 games, and that success has shifted the front office's mindset heading into the deadline.
The turnaround has been led by the star duo of James Harden, who is averaging 25.8 points and 8.1 assists per game this season, and Kawhi Leonard, who is putting up 28.1 points per game.
When both players are healthy and on the court together, the Clippers have looked like a completely different team than the one that started the year with a brutal 6-21 record.
Limited Trade Assets Make Big Moves Unlikely
One of the main reasons the Clippers are unlikely to make major moves at the deadline is their limited supply of trade assets.
The team doesn't control its own first-round pick in the upcoming draft because it goes to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of the 2019 Paul George trade, which means there is no incentive to tank.
The Clippers can trade their 2030 and 2032 first-round picks and attach swap rights in 2031, but the front office has been reluctant to mortgage more of the future given the age of the roster.
John Collins' expiring $26.5 million contract and Bogdan Bogdanovic's $16 million deal provide salary-matching tools, but using them would require giving up assets the team may not want to part with.
Owner Steve Ballmer has always emphasized competitiveness, and the recent winning streak has restored internal hope that this team can make some noise in the playoffs.
That belief has lowered the incentive to make any disruptive moves that could throw off the chemistry the team has built over the past month.
Minor Upgrades Still Possible
While Lue doesn't expect major changes, that doesn't mean the Clippers will completely stand pat.
The team could still explore minor upgrades or depth moves to help their playoff push.
With Bradley Beal out for the season due to a hip fracture and Derrick Jones Jr. still recovering from a knee injury, adding a role player who can shoot and defend could make sense without requiring significant draft capital.
The Clippers have also gotten strong contributions from young players like Jordan Miller and Kobe Sanders during this stretch, which has given the front office confidence that the current group can compete.
Converting those two-way players to standard contracts is expected once the team moves on from some veteran salaries.
For now, Lue and the Clippers are focused on continuing their hot streak and climbing the Western Conference standings rather than worrying about what moves might happen before February 5.