Maintain a strong support system
One of the main reasons the LA Clippers were able to perform so well this past season was due to the supporting cast. The Clippers bench ranked first in points per game, which shouldn’t come as a surprise considering two of the three finalists for this season’s Sixth Man of the Year award were members of this team.
Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell combined to average nearly 37 points per contest in 2018-2019, and they were one of the league’s most potent two-man combinations. The John Stockton and Karl Malone of the bench, if you will.
But even beyond those two, the Clippers had an excellent supporting group that helped carry the load when the primary scorers and playmakers struggled.
Patrick Beverley and JaMychal Green each made enormous impacts during the second half of the season, Garrett Temple was Van Gogh’s impression of a glue guy, and the rest of the group all made their presence felt whenever it was necessary.
Unfortunately for the Clippers, both Beverley and Green are as good as gone this summer, and especially so if LA manages to sign a star. Both players deserve to get paid, and the indication seems to be that they will — and much more than the Clippers could offer.
There will be other players on the market this summer that can fulfill the roles left behind by those guys, and you can bet that the Clippers already have a few names circled. Expect them to solid veterans with two-way ability and decent shooting from range. P.J. Tucker comes to mind, but he won’t be available unless he’s traded by the Houston Rockets (fairy possible) and then subsequently bought out by whichever team lands him (probably not as likely).
No matter who the LA Clippers lean on for support next season, it’s safe to assume they’ll fit the culture that’s been built here over the last few seasons. That seems to be a top priority for Lawrence Frank and the rest of the front office.