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LA Clippers Roundtable: LA’s Best Team’s Next Moves

By Logan Rapp

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 4: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the LA Clippers helped to feet by teammates against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 4, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 4: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the LA Clippers helped to feet by teammates against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 4, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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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) /

Max Guys and Free Agency

Kimbrell: Offseason question for y’all. How many guys are there this summer that you’d be comfortable with the Clips offering a max contract to?

Saldana: I would be comfortable with Kawhi and Durant, I don’t think the others should get the max. Kyrie is someone I would stay away from.

Chong: I think there are probably four or five guys I’d be okay with: Kawhi, KD, Kyrie, Klay, (iffy) Jimmy.

Rapp: I would be comfortable with any of the major forwards getting max. Jimmy would work only if he’s going to the 3.

Saldana: Still want to get role players, so if it is not Kawhi or KD, I would take 5 million a year off the top. Need a really good PG to pair with Klay but doubt he leaves.

Rapp: What I worry about is that roulette happening and the Clippers having to look at max-level guards. Then you start having to make a calculus — can Landry go to the 3, can we do three-guard sets, do we trade some of these guards for a small forward role player, etc. etc.

Kimbrell: I’m a big-time believer in Kemba Walker. I haven’t quite talked myself into him being a max guy but I could be.

Saldana: I feel Kemba would be a great third option, better players ahead of him.

Chong: All of this said, I wouldn’t HATE picking up Kawhi and then just keeping Gallo. The biggest caveat is just Gallo’s health.

I am biased, though, as I love Gallo.

Rapp: I’ve kinda softened my worries about Gallo’s health. He has taken one hell of a beating throughout this season and he really hasn’t missed much time.

Kimbrell: I love Gallo too, Matt. How do you think we’d work our lineup if we were to do that?

Saldana: I am fine with Gallo as a third option.

Tooke: Gallo can play the four spot.

Kimbrell: Bev, Shai, Landry, Kawhi, Gallo, some Center. Who goes to the bench?

Chong: I think you’d probably just have a starting lineup consisting of Shai/Landry/Kawhi/Gallo/Center (Zubac?)

I’m still hopeful for Zubac.

Kimbrell: I can buy that.

Tooke: Bev or Shai can be moved to the bench, honestly. Bev doesn’t like it but oh, well. (I like that lineup, Matt. Bev and Shai can interchange.)

Rapp: Pat Bev going to the bench isn’t as much of a problem when it’s not Avery Bradley starting over him.

Chong: I think a more experienced Shai makes moving Beverley to the bench a lot less painful.

Saldana: Team still needs more to contend from looking at Matt’s lineup.

Tooke: We’ll find out more after watching this lineup in the playoffs as well.

Chong: The team could use the money they have left from simply retaining Gallinari to pick up a guy like Vucevic. I feel like that would move the needle closer to contention.

Tooke: Vuc would be a big pickup.

Saldana: I haven’t watched Vuc enough to have an opinion on him. He might be really good because that team would have really good passing and spacing

Kimbrell: Personally I’m against Vuc. The fact that he’s made this leap in a contract year scares me.

Chong: Vuc has game. Playing on a team with better players would elevate him, I feel.

Tooke: His numbers surely wouldn’t be as great with the Clippers compared to with the Magic.

Chong: He’d probably get fewer touches, but he’s pretty dependable as far as just doing the right things goes.

Saldana: My thing is stop overpaying good players with great player money. Max money should have been more of a raise for those top tier players not just everyone else getting raises too.

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