Notable Moves:
Additions: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Rodney McGruder, Maurice Harkless, Mfiondu Kabengele, Terance Mann
Subtractions: Danilo Gallinari, Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, Garrett Temple, Wilson Chandler
Projected Depth Chart:
PG: Patrick Beverley / Lou Williams
SG: Paul George / Landry Shamet / Jerome Robinson
SF: Kawhi Leonard / Rodney McGruder / Terance Mann
PF: JaMychal Green / Maurice Harkless / Mfiondu Kabengele
C: Ivica Zubac / Montrezl Harrell
Over the past six years, the Los Angeles Clippers have made the playoffs five times and missed it once as a 10th seed with a 42-40 record. During that same span; Lob City felt like a success until it wasn’t, Donald Sterling was exiled from the league (finally!), and Steve Ballmer took the reigns of what seems like the NBA’s newest darling franchise.
Having failed to take control of Los Angeles during the Lob City era, the Clippers entered last season as a rebuilding franchise. Instead, they forced a game 6 against a fully healthy Golden State Warriors team and turned into championship favorites during free agency.
#KawhiWatch was intense and all signs were pointing at him joining the Lakers before OKC agreed to “part ways” with Paul George. Once the Clippers acquired a second star; the reigning Finals MVP, NBA Champion, and current holder of the “best player in the world” title decided to come back home and play for LA’s other team.
The Clippers now employ two of the top twelve players in the league and the league’s most potent bench unit headlined by Lou Williams and Montrezll Harrell. As a starter, Patrick Beverly will be the third member of one of the scariest perimeter defensive trios in recent memory.
Add to that 2nd year shooter Landry Shamet who hit huge playoffs shots, promising big man Ivica Zubac, and stretch-4 JaMychal Green and this team has one of the deepest rotations in the league. New acquisitions, Maurice Harkless and Rodney McGruder, will give Coach Doc Rivers additional 3 & D options to tinker with the rotation as well.
Depth and defending the elite perimeter players in the NBA will not be a problem for this squad. Scoring shouldn’t be a problem either considering Kawhi’s efficiency, PG’s skill set, Sweet Lou’s resume, and Harrell’s ability to crash the offensive glass. Shooting, transition buckets, and pick & rolls will be at a premium with this squad.
The real problem will be stopping the elite big man in the NBA.
In order to get to the Finals they’ll need to go through any combination of Dwight Howard-Anthony Davis Lakers, Nikola Jokic-Paul Millsap Nuggets, Rudy Gobert Jazz, and other imposing big men. If they make the Finals, Joel Embiid or Giannis Antetounkounmpo may be waiting.
Regardless, the Clippers have been on an up-ward trend for years and now have the squad to get their first title ever. The ball is in their court and it’s time to take advantage. If they don’t do it with this core, they might as well never do. The time to take Los Angeles by the throat is now.
Before the 2019-2020 NBA season starts, NBA Porkchop will take an in-depth look at each basketball team separately. Team transactions, player additions/subtractions through free agency, depth charts, and season projections will be discussed.
NBA PORKCHOP 