Clipperholics
Fansided

LA Clippers: Doc Rivers decision to keep Jared Cunningham over Joe Ingles

By Ryan Snellings

Apr 28, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) tries to stop LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) from driving to the basket during the second quarter in game six of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) tries to stop LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) from driving to the basket during the second quarter in game six of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

After losing to the Utah Jazz in the first round, many looked at Doc Rivers’ decision to cut Joe Ingles from the LA Clippers as yet another failure in his tenure. But was it a bad choice at the time?

Joe Ingles looked great during the first round. He made the right plays, scored when necessary and locked down J.J. Redick better than anyone this season. With the LA Clippers’ constant need for a small forward, many looked at Ingles production and wondered: Why did Doc Rivers cut him after training camp just a few seasons ago?

Ingles is a very solid player and would have fit well among the group the Clippers trotted out this season. He’s a savvy player and a very efficient shooter. This season, he managed to play in all 82 games and shot 44% from beyond the 3-point line. At 6’8, he’s able to use his length to bother offensive players and get his hands into the passing lane. Ingles averaged 1.2 steals per game this season for the Jazz.

So, why did Doc cut him? Is it because he’s a bad GM? Is it that he just didn’t see the potential that Ingles possessed? It’s actually a little more complicated.

2014 Preseason

Doc Rivers had one final cut to make at the end of the 2014 preseason. He would either keep guard Jared Cunningham or Joe Ingles. It looked like Joe was the going to be the player that Doc kept on the roster, but two things happened to change his career’s path.

  1. Backup point guard, Jordan Farmar was injured, leaving a hole at the guard position
  2. Jared Cunningham scored like crazy in the last few preseason games, forcing Doc to reevaluate

Doc knew that Joe was someone he wanted around and would find a place in the league if anyone had been paying attention.

"“We were definitely trying to find ways to keep him. I think he’s going to be a good player.(He) would’ve found his way on the floor with us.I just think a guy that knows how to play when you put him on a good team, he can be really good,” Rivers continued. “And he’s a great guy that you want on your team.”"

Doc was hoping that Ingles would make it through the waiver wire unnoticed and that the Clippers could pick him back up once the season was underway. However, it just didn’t work out for the team. Utah had a need for a wing player and the rest is history.

More from Clipperholics

Now, the Clippers enter an offseason of uncertainty, where they could potentially lose 4 of their 5 starters. Had they kept Joe Ingles, who knows what path the team had taken. However, that will just be one more big “what if” of Doc’s tenure with the LA Clippers.

Home/Clippers News