Roundtable: Farewell, 2018-2019 LA Clippers, and the Hunt for Kawhi’s Tahoe
By Logan Rapp
Logan Rapp: I’ve been trying to formulate this question since last night, but I think it’s just gonna stay a little vague here: In your eyes, what does success look like for this offseason?
Matt Chong: So, a “successful” offseason is obviously being able to add one or two superstar-caliber players to the roster. That’s peak success for the Clippers. But then I also don’t think it’s necessarily an unsuccessful offseason if the Clippers simply bring back the guys they have for another year and allow their young players to develop. The only situation in which I would really consider the offseason a bust for the Clippers is if they were to commit superstar money to uppermid tier players (Jimmy Butler, Kemba Walker, etc.). If they did that, it would undoubtedly set them back going forward and be a net negative. Of course, I absolutely trust the Clippers front office to be smarter than that.
Randi Geffner: I think setting the bar at Kawhi is a mistake. I trust in the Logo and the team around him; to me I guess one version of success is keeping PBev, hopefully landing one solid free agent, and keeping the magic going. I mean we would never have defined success as trading Blake Griffin, then dropping Tobias Harris at midnight before the trade deadline, so we might need to redefine our definition of success. I feel like the whole message of this season is that success is a moving target, it is not defined traditionally when it comes to this team. We need to continue to think outside the box as that is what led to this great season.
Nate Jacobo: This off-season, I believe the Clippers succeed no matter if they land their coveted star/s or strike out. There is three ways to look at it.
Plan A: Land two max-caliber players (KD, Kawhi, Kyrie, Klay, etc.), still have the young core and Lou and Trezz to form a top-tier team in the West.
Plan B: Land one star, preferably Kawhi, re-sign JaMychal and Beverley and finish off what these year’s Clippers started off with.
Plan C: Strike out on top tier Free Agents, look at some mid-level options, develop the two second-rounders coming in and look forward to the 2020 Free Agency.
I believe in our deep Front Office, they have shown time and time again they know what they are doing.
Randi Geffner: Seems like we all agree that there is not one clear meaning of success.
Matt Chong: Yup! Thanks to the incredibly smart moves the Clippers’ front office has already made, they’re positioned well for just about any situation going forward. They’ve put themselves in a situation where it’s tough for them to really lose.
Logan Rapp: Striking out with top-tier free agents shouldn’t automatically equate to an unsuccessful summer. For me, it’s simply “no stupid moves,” which has really defined this front office. They’ve been bold, such as the Tobias Harris trade and somehow getting Landry Shamet right out from under the Sixers’ noses. And then flipping Mike Muscala in 24 hours and committing straight up highway robbery against the Lakers for Ivica Zubac.
But despite those bold maneuvers, they haven’t been reckless, and I think that’s the balance, there.
Matt Chong: I agree, Logan. Just don’t set yourselves back. That’s all the front office needs to do.
Nate Jacobo: Yeah, I agree Logan. Avoid the stupid moves and remain competetive. The way they have structured contracts in recent years has gave them so much more wiggle room and flexibilty among other things.