The Clippers really did like Jared Cunningham, the athleticism he brought as a combo guard. They brought him in as a third point guard and he hasn’t seen many minutes — 89 total this season — behind Chris Paul and Jordan Farmar, but he was a good insurance policy.
However, what the Clippers needed more was money and a roster space as they try to get better at the trade deadline.
Rather than cut him outright, the Clippers traded him, reports Adrian Wojnaroski of Yahoo Sports.
The Clippers are trading guard Jared Cunningham to the 76ers, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 7, 2015
The Clippers won't be taking back a player in Cunningham deal, league sources tell Yahoo Sports. They're clearing a roster spot
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 7, 2015
The Clippers are sending cash to the 76ers with Cunningham, league source tells Yahoo Sports. Philadelphia will likely waive Cunningham.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 7, 2015
The question yet to be answered is what comes back to the Clippers in this deal (likely a protected second round pick at best).
Cunningham is a fringe NBA player right out of the “everything that the AAU does wrong” mold — he’s an incredibly athletic and very raw basketball player. He doesn’t really have the handles to be a playmaking point guard and he lacks the shooting skills to be a threat as a two guard. The Cavaliers took him with the No. 24 pick a few drafts ago but gave up on his development.
We’ll see if another team will take him on as a gamble or if he is headed to the D-League.