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Breaking down the LA Clippers roster with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George

By Garrett Chorpenning

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during Game Six of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during Game Six of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 25: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers dunks in front of Maximilian Kleber #42 and Salah Mejri #50 of the Dallas Mavericks during the first half at Staples Center on February 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 25: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers dunks in front of Maximilian Kleber #42 and Salah Mejri #50 of the Dallas Mavericks during the first half at Staples Center on February 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Bigs

With strong rebounders in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George at each forward position, the LA Clippers may not need to worry as much about adding a modern center anymore. Of course, they’ll suffer in matchups against guys like Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns if that is the case, but they should more than make up for it elsewhere.

Montrezl Harrell

Lou Williams led the team in scoring this past season, but Montrezl Harrell was arguably the most dominant player on the LA Clippers.

Harrell is everything the Clippers embody — he’s a hard-working, passionate player with a motor that never slows. He’s as efficient as they come. And most importantly, he’s easily the best bench big in the league right now, meaning he and Williams will still do plenty to wreck opposing teams next season.

It might make more sense for Harrell to start now to really power up the starting rotation, but he’s always seemed more comfortable coming off the bench. And given his smaller frame for a center, he’s probably best suited to remain there.

Mfiondu Kabengele

The LA Clippers made a surprise trade in the 2019 NBA Draft, moving up to take Mfiondu Kabengele with the 27th overall pick. And if you’re still unsure as to why they did that, be sure to tune into the Clippers’ first Summer League game on Saturday night to see what he’s capable of.

The nephew of NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo, is a raw athlete that shows plenty of promise as he begins to fit the mold of a modern big. He’s got some of his uncle’s shot-blocking instincts, but with a three-point shot to go with it.

It’s hard to say how often Kabengele will see the floor in his first season in Los Angeles, but his selection was likely based more on his long-term potential than anything else.

Ivica Zubac

Jerry West and the gang are probably still laughing it up about the trade that brought Ivica Zubac to the LA Clippers, and rightfully so. Once the 22-year-old center got over his hand injury, he looked the part of a double-double machine that could evolve into a more modern big.

Zubac averaged 9.4 points and 7.7 rebounds in just over 20 minutes of action per game with the Clippers last season, making him a solid option to at least begin halves with. He’ll need to work on his mobility and conditioning to stay in games beyond that amount of time, but for now, he gets the job done.

Next. What the Paul George trade means for the LA Clippers. dark

The LA Clippers are in very good shape heading into the 2019-2020 season, and with more moves on the way to help fill out the rest of the roster, it’s looking as though they’ll come away as the big winners of the offseason.

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