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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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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 17: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers shoots the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on November 17, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 17: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers shoots the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on November 17, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /

Power Forward #1: Danilo Gallinari

2018-2019 statistics: 18.8 PTS, 5.9 REB, 2.5 AST

Danilo Gallinari is staying with the LA Clippers — at least for now.

There was plenty of speculation around the deadline that Gallinari would be moved, since taking his name off the books would be a big help to LA’s summer plans. But after trading Tobias Harris, it became clear that the Clippers would need to keep Gallinari if they had any hopes of making the playoffs this season.

Like many other players on this list, Gallinari is arguably having the best season of his career. His 18.8 points per game are second only to his 2015-2016 campaign in which he scored 19.5 in nearly 35 minutes each night. Gallo is also grabbing a career-best 5.9 rebounds per game.

Gallinari’s best trait is his ability to shoot the three, and he does so very well — he’s connecting on 44.9 percent of his attempts this season, the sixth-best mark in the NBA.

There’s a decent chance that Gallinari will be moved this summer to help the Clippers achieve their plans, but for now, he’s the go-to guy on offense.

Power Forward #2: JaMychal Green

2018-2019 statistics: 9.8 PTS, 6.1 REB, 0.9 AST

Regardless of what happens to the win column the rest of the year, the LA Clippers are going to be fun — and that’s largely in part of the new one-two punch they’ll have off the bench with the pairing of Montrezl Harrell and JaMychal Green.

Green is similar to Harrell in a lot of ways — both were pretty heavily slept on out of college (Green was undrafted), both play with tons of energy, and both play the same position.

One of the few differences is Green’s ability to space the floor. The 6’9″ forward is converting 39.6 percent of his attempts from deep this season, adding to a long list of three-point threats the Clippers acquired at the deadline.

Expect to see Green and Harrell in LA’s second unit for the rest of the season. Paired with Lou Williams, there’s no telling what the two will be able to accomplish together.

Power Forward #3: Luc Mbah a Moute

2018-2019 statistics: 5.0 PTS, 1.8 REB, 0.5 AST

Luc Mbah a Moute is a curious case.

The 32-year-old forward signed a one-year deal with the LA Clippers this summer, and the move drew plenty of praise. Mbah a Moute was fresh off a strong season with the Houston Rockets, and had it not been for a shoulder injury, he likely would have played a more significant role down the stretch for the Rockets.

He’s played just four games for LA this season — the first four games of the season. But something happened in that last game, and whatever it was has kept him out until this point. He’s been listed as day-to-day with a knee injury ever since, and there’s currently no timetable for his return.

According to his Twitter, he’s making significant progress and is nearing a return, but he’s already experienced a few setbacks this season that have thrown him off track.

There’s no telling whether he’ll play another game for the Clippers this season, but if he does, he’ll likely find most of his minutes with the second and third units.

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