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LA Clippers Mailbag: Offseason plans, the playoffs, and the rookies

By Garrett Chorpenning

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 29: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on November 29, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 29: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on November 29, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, CANADA – NOVEMBER 29: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors look on during the game on November 29, 2018 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA – NOVEMBER 29: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors look on during the game on November 29, 2018 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

If the Clippers can only get one of Kawhi/KD, who else should they get?

Question via @zrpClippers

First of all — this is a fantastic question, so thank you for asking it. This is definitely a possibility, and it’s probably more likely that this happens than the Clippers getting Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant together is. And as disappointing as that sounds, it doesn’t mean that all is lost.

Despite all the speculation regarding Leonard and Durant’s respective futures with their current teams, it isn’t a “sure thing” that either of them leaves this summer. Leonard has had plenty of success with the Toronto Raptors this season, and his team certainly has the potential to reach the Eastern Conference Finals (or better) if they can get by the first two rounds of the playoffs. As for Durant, it’s hard to imagine him leaving what he has going in Golden State unless he’s completely sure that he can get another ring as soon as possible with another team.

But if by some stroke of luck one of them signs with the LA Clippers, there are plenty of other complimentary options available.

Jimmy Butler could still sign elsewhere this summer, even though Philadelphia intends to re-sign him. He was reportedly one of LA’s top trade targets at the beginning of the season, and the defense you could get by pairing him with Leonard could be staggering.

Kyrie Irving is tough to gauge, but he could be on his way out of Boston this summer as well. However, even after free agency hits on July 1, the Clippers will still be a very guard-heavy team. Six of the eight players that have salaries remaining beyond this season are guards, and I would expect the Clippers to try and bring back Patrick Beverley this summer as well. That doesn’t mean you can’t sign Irving, but there would likely have to be some trades made to keep the roster in balance.

The same thing pretty much goes for Kemba Walker and Klay Thompson, both of whom could also test the waters this summer.

Truthfully, I think that LA would do best to target a center if they only get Leonard or Durant. The position has been the Clippers’ weakest all season long, and even if they re-sign Ivica Zubac, it’ll remain that way.

This is where guys like DeMarcus Cousins and Nikola Vucevic come into play. Both could be great complementary options at center, and would work well beside either Durant or Leonard. I’d probably go with Vooch over Boogie in this case, but I’d be fine with either.

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