SMALL FORWARD : LUC MBAH A MOUTE
An arduous selection considering that the Clippers own a budding player in Thornwell, who boasts an identical skill-set to the ten year veteran. The second year guards’ readiness to defend the one, two and three positions, along with an ever-improving offensive game might make him seem like an apt option.
However, my pick for the small forward position would go to Mbah A Moute. ‘The Prince’, having featured in a Rivers-led group in the past, would be familiar with his system and would likely be integrated into his plans speedily.
Physicality, length and experience brand him as a better alternative to the versatile sophomore guard. His capacity to switch to defending the four flawlessly makes him an invaluable asset. Having featured in D’Antoni’s system in the prior season, he’d managed to reveal a consistent stroke from three on voluminous attempts, filling up 36.4% of his shots. While the Rockets constructed a superstar backcourt, they also forged a group of productive role-players, namely Mbah a Moute who assisted them on their quest to the Conference Finals.
The failure of the Rockets’ front office to bring back the veteran could prove to be the Clippers’ gain. Having successfully scaled mountainous tasks of keeping superstars of the magnitude of LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard in check, the Clippers hope that the Cameroonian can replicate these performances on his second stint with their modified roster.
Elite defensive capability accommodated by the ability to stretch the floor deems him to be a viable choice in this scenario.