NBA Rumors: Any Clippers-Raptors Trade Held Up Because Of One Ask

The Los Angeles Clippers badly want Fred VanVleet in their backcourt. The Toronto Raptors are setting a high price for any of their elite trade assets. As a result, the two sides have yet to come to a deal. And according to ESPN's Zach Lowe, it's all about one trade piece that needs to come back in return.

Zach Lowe: “The Clippers can’t get Fred VanVleet without including Terance Mann… And I know this, the Clippers really do not want to trade Terance Mann.”

Lowe said this is his gut feeling based upon all the information he has received. pic.twitter.com/IjfQY39BFv

— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) February 2, 2023

“The Clippers can’t get Fred VanVleet without including Terance Mann… And I know this: the Clippers really do not want to trade Terance Mann," said Lowe on his Loew Post podcast. 

"I don't think Luke Kennard plus a draft pick plus something else is gonna get it done. That's my gut."

The Clippers are definitely looking to upgrade at point guard. Reggie Jackson was out of the rotation for a while, and John Wall has been out injured for the last two weeks, and hasn't been relied on for more than 22 minutes a game when he has played. 

Mann, on the other hand, has moved into the starting lineup, and is now the prized young player (26) on the come-up for the Clippers. He's averaging 8.4 points on the season, with 2.1 assists, and a 37% mark from three-point range.

VanVleet is averaging 19.5 points, 6.6 assists, but a career-low 34.4% from long range (though he's firing away at 41% over his last ten games). He becomes a free agent at season's end when he opts out of the final year of his contract.

Kawhi Leonard has already made it clear he wants a move made in the backcourt, and he has already won a championship with VanVleet, making him a perfect fit.

We'll have to see which of the Clippers or Raptors blink first. Or maybe there's no blinking going on at all, and both sides stay status quo. 

Photo: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports