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Breaking down the LA Clippers’ depth chart following the trade deadline

By Garrett Chorpenning

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 07: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers watches the action against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 07, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 07: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers watches the action against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 07, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 02: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers drives around Bruce Brown #6 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on February 02, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 02: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers drives around Bruce Brown #6 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on February 02, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Point Guard #1: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

2018-2019 statistics (through February 7): 10.0 PTS, 2.7 REB, 3.0 AST

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was already having a strong rookie season, and after Thursday’s moves, the 20-year-old rookie appears poised for a breakout second half.

The 6’6″ point guard has looked comfortable in the starting role that he’s had for most of the season, and there’s hardly a reason to doubt that he’ll take a step back as he becomes a larger part of the offense. If anything, the rookie should improve, in all aspects of his game.

In his first game sans-Tobias Harris, Gilgeous-Alexander went for eight points and six assists in 26 minutes of action. He didn’t always look in control (hence his season-high five turnovers), but he was working with a makeshift roster that was made up of nine players other than himself.

As the season nears its curtain call, expect Gilgeous-Alexander to make a significant jump and prove why he deserves the starting role for the foreseeable future.

Point Guard #2: Lou Williams

2018-2019 statistics: 19.3 PTS, 3.0 REB, 5.2 AST

In order to make room for some of the newer, younger two-guards to get minutes at their position, expect Sixth Man of the Year candidate Lou Williams to slide over to point and continue his primary ball-handling duties for the remainder of the season.

Williams, one year removed from winning his second Sixth Man of the Year award, has averaged 19.3 points this season in just 26 minutes per game. It’s an astonishing rate, but really, it’s what we’ve come to expect from Williams.

Thursday’s trades won’t have a significant impact on Williams’ minutes or his role. He’ll still be the go-to option off the bench, and depending on how well the moves work out, he could become an even better playmaker and bring his assist totals up.

The Clippers were smart to lock up Williams on an extension last season, and they were even smarter to hang onto him during deadline day. As long as he’s on the bench, it’s his show to run.

Point Guard #3: Tyrone Wallace

2018-2019 statistics: 3.8 PTS, 1.7 REB, 0.5 AST

Tyrone Wallace has been absent from LA’s lineup for some time now, and it’s about time he makes his return.

The second-year pro hasn’t quite been as efficient as the player he was last season, but his limited minutes aren’t helping his cause — Wallace has only played 20+ minutes three times this year, and one of the instances came on Thursday when the severely undermanned Clippers had just 10 players available.

Rivers insists that the new additions won’t get minutes simply “because they should”, so Wallace should get an equal opportunity to play for his position with the team. Assuming he stays consistent with what we’ve seen thus far, Wallace will likely remain a solid option with the third unit, and could play increased minutes at the wing in smaller lineups.

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