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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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CHARLOTTE, NC – FEBRUARY 5: Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers looks on during the national anthem before the game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 5, 2019 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – FEBRUARY 5: Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers looks on during the national anthem before the game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 5, 2019 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Shooting Guard #1: Patrick Beverley

2018-2019 statistics: 7.4 PTS, 4.6 REB, 3.5 AST

Patrick Beverley was another player that the Clippers were wise to hang on to — not only is he one of the most energetic performers in the NBA, but he’s already been a great mentor to rookies Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson.

Beverley is playing the fewest minutes per game this season since his rookie year, but he’s been especially strong since he reclaimed his starting role on January 20. In the 11 games that have passed since then, Beverley has averaged 11.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists and has shot nearly 48 percent from three-point range. Dating back to December 15, he’s shot 47.4 percent from deep.

The Clippers know exactly what they’re getting with Beverley, and it’s likely that he continues to start beside Gilgeous-Alexander for the rest of the season.

Shooting Guard #2: Jerome Robinson

2018-2019 statistics: 3.7 PTS, 1.1 REB, 0.3 AST

Robinson has yet to play his breakout game for the LA Clippers, but it feels like it could come sooner rather than later.

The 21-year-old Robinson has only recently played a significant role for the Clippers, but he’s played well in limited minutes. Since January 23, the Boston College product has played 15 minutes per game and has scored about five points per game. In Thursday’s loss to Indiana, he went for seven points, three assists and five steals in a career-high 27 minutes.

He doesn’t have much value outside of shooting just yet, but shooters always have a place in the league. If Robinson’s shot starts catching, he could really get an uptick in minutes during the second half of the season.

One could argue that incoming guard Landry Shamet could get the nod here as well, since he’s more proven than Robinson. For now, though, we’ll stick with Robinson as Beverley’s primary backup in the depth chart since he’s familiar with the team.

Shooting Guard #3: Landry Shamet

2018-2019 statistics: 8.3 PTS, 1.4 REB, 1.1 AST

Shamet is already regarded as one of the best shooters — if not the best shooter — from the 2018 NBA Draft class. Aside from the draft picks, he’s undoubtedly the highlight of the Tobias Harris trade for the LA Clippers, and could easily become an important piece of the team’s future.

Prior to the trade, Shamet was averaging 8.3 points per game for the Philadelphia 76ers and was shooting over 40 percent from three-point range on 4.5 attempts. His shot chart, though, may be the most promising piece of information available about Shamet’s style of play.

According to Basketball-Reference, Shamet has taken 45 midrange shots this season, compared to 47 attempts at the rim and 245 attempts from three-point range. He’s taking only the most high-percentage, high-value shots, and he’s doing a very good job of it as well.

He’s best as a catch-and-shoot guy, especially from beyond the arc, and it should be interesting to see how he fits in with the LA bench.

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