Clippers Trade Rumors: Hornets, LAC Not Engaged in ‘Meaningful’ P.J. Washington Talks

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The Los Angeles Clippers and Charlotte Hornets have not had “meaningful” trade talks recently about power forward PJ Washington, per Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer.

According to Fischer, the Clippers have shown interest in Washington, but serious talks of a trade have gone cold recently as the Feb. 8 trade deadline approaches.

“PJ Washington is another Hornets forward who’s commanding inquiries from rival teams, with Dallas among the interested suitors, sources said,” Fischer wrote. “Over this past weekend, the Clippers’ purported pursuit of Washington became noted across the league. But according to various league personnel involved in these talks, Los Angeles has not had a meaningful conversation with Charlotte in quite some time about Washington. One source went so far as to describe that Clippers-Washington connection as ‘bad info.'”

Several teams across the league could be looking to deal for Washington, as the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks have both shown interest in the fifth-year player.

This season, Washington is averaging 13.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

With the Clippers’ recent hot surge, they might not need to deal for Washington. Los Angeles has won 14 of 17 games since the turn of the new year and doesn’t seem to be slowing down. On their current road trip, the Clippers have won five of six games, including a blowout win over the league-best Boston Celtics.

If the Clippers do decide to trade for Washington, the big man could give them some added defense in the paint. Los Angeles has a solid defense, with the 11th-best defensive rating in the league, but it never hurts to get some added insurance.

Washington’s defense is what drew interest from the Mavericks, whose offensive power has been marred by bad defense. Dallas is on the cusp of the playoff picture in eighth place in the Western Conference, but getting some added defense from Washington could ensure the Mavericks stick around for the postseason.

A Clippers trade for Washington does not appear close at this point, but the big man has interest around the league and could be on the move before the end of the week.