Only five players remain from last years roster heading into this season for the LA Clippers.
The LA Clippers are hoping their new look can push them into the right direction. The team hopes to prove their potential and attract future free agents.
DeAndre Jordan, Austin Rivers, Brice Johnson and the re-signed of franchise player Blake Griffin, are who carried over from last season. Everyone else on the team is now a first year “new look” Clipper.
Recap
Chris Paul’s departure gave LA some solid players in return. They received Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell and Sam Dekker, along with a first round pick.
This pick allowed them to sign and trade for Danilo Gallinari. The team also managed to sign big man Willie Reed and guard Milos Teodosic.
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The Clippers also successfully got rid of Jamal Crawford’s pricey contract and can more than replace his production with Lou Williams. Williams has always been a Sixth Man of the Year candidate and was very close to winning it last season. He will have an even better opportunity this year, experimenting with the new look Clippers.
These additions don’t even account for the rookies from this years draft, Sindarius Thornwell and Jawun Evans.
New Look
After losing CP3, Los Angeles did very well by building a solid team, on paper, in less than a month. Transactions were happening instantly as the organization changed course, while successfully keeping their younger star, Blake Griffin.
Veteran guard Patrick Beverley is a scrappy defender, just like Paul. His game will be complimented by Euro league star, Milos Teodosic, a magical floor general with the ball. Milos and Beverley bring in different talents and will combine to give Doc Rivers solid point guard play.
The addition of Danilo Gallinari gives the Clippers one of the most talented front courts in the league. He is possibly the missing piece that needed to be paired with Griffin and Jordan. Gallo is confident that this is the best frontrcourt in the league.
“Number 1. No doubt. You like the answer, huh?” — Gallo on where the Clippers’ frontcourt ranks in the NBA.
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) September 25, 2017
Not only are the players different, but the front office roles have changed over the summer. Coach Doc Rivers lost his responsibilities as president of basketball operations, handing it over to assistant Lawrence Frank.
More importantly, LA made a Hollywood move with the addition of the legend Jerry West as ab advisor.
LA did not bring in West so they can tank. When adding Jerry West to your basketball staff, the franchise is looking to accomplish great things, sooner than later.
The Clippers now have a complete roster full of talent everywhere. No other team has a front court trio like Gallinari, Griffin, and Jordan while still having defense and ball movement at the guard positions. Although it may not be this season, LA is not far from contending.
One player can move them back up the rankings and with Jerry West being the man behind the scenes in LA, there is no doubt Lob City 2.0 is heading the right direction.