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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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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 13: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Phoenix Suns defends Landry Shamet #20 of the Los Angeles Clippers as he drives to the basket in the game at Staples Center on February 13, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 13: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Phoenix Suns defends Landry Shamet #20 of the Los Angeles Clippers as he drives to the basket in the game at Staples Center on February 13, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Should the LA Clippers pursue the playoffs or try to keep their pick?

Question via @CinFlynn

I kind of touched on this in the intro slide, but I’m perfectly fine dedicating an entire page to it, because this seems to be the main question making its rounds across Clippers Twitter.

Personally, I think it’s wise for the LA Clippers to shoot for the playoffs this season. They’ll lose their first-round draft pick in the process, but this draft class drops off in quality once you get outside of the top 10. And based on where they’re at right now, the Clippers would have to fight hard to get into that range.

I think the fact that the Clippers are fighting for a spot — and doing a great job at it — could help their chances this summer in signing one of (or both) Leonard or Durant. I would think that if they do leave their respective teams, they would rather go to a team that has shown that they can make the playoffs without them. By doing so, incoming free agents might feel more confident about their chances of winning a title with the Clippers than if the team just tanks right now.

One could argue that the LA Clippers have already shown that they can make the playoffs this season based on their positioning right now, and that’s true. LA has been in the playoff picture all season long — but to that, I’d argue that the pre-deadline Clippers were an almost completely different team than the one we have now. And there’s no guarantee that this squad keeps up the pace.

This team more closely resembles the one that free agents will be joining this summer, and if you’re a player making that big of a career decision, chances are you’d like to be as confident as possible. And me personally, I would think that if this version shows it can keep up with the best of the West, it would make it all the more likely that someone like Durant or Leonard hops on board.

It’s not a given that any of LA’s targets will come this summer. Probably best to do whatever you can to increase your chances.

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