The LA Clippers have their eyes on the prize this summer with hopes of getting multiple superstars this summer, but role players can make or break a team’s title chances. Patrick Beverley and JaMychal Green are two players that must stay with the Clippers to keep those hopes alive.
The LA Clippers 2018-2019 campaign was built on the premise of players knowing their roles and thriving in those roles.
For Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell, their primary goal was to bring scoring off the bench, which they did.
Danilo Gallinari was slated to be the team’s top scorer and he fulfilled that role, posting a career high in points.
Among everyone though, Patrick Beverley and JaMychal Green may have done best in the roles they were given and the Clippers need to make sure the two role players stay on their roster next year before worrying about anything else this offseason.
Why Should Patrick Beverley Stay?
As to why this would even be a question that anyone needs to ask is past me.
Beverley brings an intensity that cannot be matched and is beyond anything head coach Doc Rivers could teach.
The 30-year old veteran guard has the fiery passion of anyone from Chicago and shows it on the court for every game. His defensive ability at the guard position is above most in the league and rivals the defensive abilities posed by Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard and other great defensive players.
Despite this, Beverley was not selected to an All-Defensive team and had this to say about it:
Lol that’s funny!!!
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) May 22, 2019
As if he needed more motivation after a heated six-game battle with Kevin Durant and a solid season, he definitely has it and the Clippers need to take advantage of it.
Beverley was arguably the most important player in the Golden State series. He got into the heads of the defending champs and forced the action for most of the contests and just created a culture around the team of hard play on every possession. You don’t just let that go.
Beverley may not fill the stat sheet but his presence on the floor more than makes up for it. He can also teach Shai-Gilgeous Alexander (who received an All-Defensive vote) some defensive tricks to improve his game all-around.
Beverley will likely find money one way or another with many teams having their eyes on him, one being the Dallas Mavericks, who need a defensive guard. If I am the Clippers, I prioritize Beverley, pay him about $10-$13 million for two years, so two-years $26 million at most, and allow him to play out his role once again in Los Angeles.
Why Bring Back JaMychal Green?
JaMychal Green may have not got the same attention that Patrick Beverley and other role players received but he is still just as important to LA’s success next year.
The 28-year old forward was brought over from the Memphis Grizzlies via the Avery Bradley trade and made an immediate impact for Doc Rivers.
Green posted about nine points a night and shot 41-percent from outside, proving he can stretch the floor at any time. What does that allow the Clippers to do? Trade Danilo Gallinari and already have a viable option behind him.
Green is more than worthy of starting minutes for the Clippers. He stands about 6-foot-9, can stretch the floor, grab rebounds consistently and guard about two or three positions on the floor. He does not need the ball like Gallo does, adding to what Williams, Harrell and others can already do scoring the basketball.
One thing about Green though is that if he needs to make a shot, be it in the corner or in the paint, he will likely make it for you. In football, teams have a tight end as a security blanket on third down and for the Clippers, Green could be a security blanket in a lineup that will hopefully feature a superstar alongside SGA, Beverley, himself and Zubac.
Why should the Clippers bring back Green? Because his ability will come at a cheaper price than other options because he’ll likely ask for about $7-$11 million and if the Clippers choose to give him that contract, they’ll know they get a proven player who will stretch the floor and know the system being run in Los Angeles already.
Green is a viable player and the Clippers need him to return, mainly for backup plans but also for his ability to create spacing and offensive efficiency.
The Clippers have lots to think about this summer. More than half of the team is off the books, with Beverley, Green, McGruder, Thornwell, Motley, Delgado, Wallace, Chandler, and Temple all set to hit the open market one way or another.
That leaves the Clippers with Gallo, SGA, Williams, Shamet, Harrell and Robinson. Bringing back guys who know their system will be huge in building a winning culture next season no matter what happens during free agency.
Beverley and Green are must-haves next season and the Clippers should already know why so hopefully they pull the trigger and bring back two of the team’s cornerstones.