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The LA Clippers’ 2019-2020 roster is beginning to take shape

By Garrett Chorpenning

PLAYA VISTA, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Los Angeles Clippers' guard Lou Williams (23) shares a laugh with teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the team's media day in Playa Vista, CA, on Monday, Sep 24, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
PLAYA VISTA, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Los Angeles Clippers' guard Lou Williams (23) shares a laugh with teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the team's media day in Playa Vista, CA, on Monday, Sep 24, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 17: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers shoots the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on November 17, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 17: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers shoots the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on November 17, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /

Power Forward

The four is another position where the LA Clippers appear weak, but that’s something that could change with the addition of Kawhi Leonard. Since he can play both forward positions, the Clippers might not be in as much trouble here as it seems.

Heading into free agency, Danilo Gallinari was not expected to be here this long. If the LA Clippers were going to sign two max-level players in the offseason, his contract would need to be moved, and that still hasn’t happened yet.

That being said, Gallinari is fresh off a career-best season, and could be something of a second star alongside Kawhi Leonard. He scored a career-high 19.8 points per game this past season, connected on 43.3 percent of his three-point attempts, and appeared in 68 games — the highest mark since his 2012-2013 season.

If he isn’t moved, he should fit in nicely alongside Leonard. The two play complementary styles of basketball, and with Gallinari’s ability to get a quick bucket, Leonard wouldn’t need to score all the points to keep the Clippers’ starting rotation in games.

Mfiondu Kabengele

The LA Clippers made a surprising decision on Draft night, trading up to select Florida State’s Mfiondu Kabengele with the 27th overall pick. The team came into the night without a first-round selection, so it makes sense that they’d want to get in on the action — especially if it meant they could add to their thin line of defense at the four.

Kabengele, the nephew of NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo, has all the tools to become a very good modern big. He can block shots inside, stretch the floor with his three-point shot, and he has the energy and motor to stay engaged for long periods of time.

Kabengele is also quick to score — he led the Seminoles in points per game in his sophomore season at Florida State despite coming off the bench and playing just over 21 minutes per game.

It might take some time for Kabengele to reach his true potential, but comparing him to a poor-man’s version of current-day Pascal Siakam doesn’t seem too far off the mark.

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