Before landing guard/forward Caris LeVert in a trade with the Pacers, the Cavaliers discussed a deal for shooting guard Luke Kennard with the Clippers, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
The framework to such a deal would have been similar to what the Cavs sent to the Pacers, starting with the expiring contract of injured point guard Ricky Rubio, per Fischer. It is believed the Cavs wouldn’t have sent a first-round pick to the Clippers, which is what they did in finalizing the deal for LeVert.
Like LeVert, Kennard is an Ohio native, winning Ohio Mr. Basketball in back-to-back years at Franklin High School (2014 and ’15).
But really, this actually means more for the Clippers now than it does the Cavs. While Cleveland continues to look for help in reserve ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, the Clippers could be a stronger possibility to make another move, perhaps one involving Kennard.
“League personnel are prepared for Los Angeles to continue tinkering its roster ahead of the deadline in the lead-up to a bolstered run at next season’s championship,” Fischer wrote, mentioning power forward Serge Ibaka as another possible Clippers trade candidate.
Last week, the Clippers acquired guard Norman Powell and forward Robert Covington from the Trail Blazers for guard Eric Bledsoe, guard/forward Justise Winslow, small forward Keon Johnson and a 2025 second-round pick.
Bottom line: More moves could very well be on the way in both Cleveland and LA.
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