Ranking the LA Clippers’ most important moves when free agency starts

Apr 16, 2020; Los Angeles, CA, USA: The Staples Center is illuminated in blue as part of the #LightItBlue campaign to salute front line health care workers amid the global coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY NETWORK
Apr 16, 2020; Los Angeles, CA, USA: The Staples Center is illuminated in blue as part of the #LightItBlue campaign to salute front line health care workers amid the global coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY NETWORK /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 17: Aron Baynes #46 of the Phoenix Suns blocks the ball against the LA Clippers on December 17, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 17: Aron Baynes #46 of the Phoenix Suns blocks the ball against the LA Clippers on December 17, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The LA Clippers have some moves to make. Let’s rank their importance.

With free agency set to kick off at 6:00 PM EST/3:00 PM PST, we can expect a lot of movement. Teams will have to pivot quickly after just having gone through the draft process. This rings especially true for contenders like the LA Clippers who need to make moves to improve their chances at winning.

What exactly do the Clippers need? A playmaker and a backup big top the list but they could use more depth in general. Let’s rank the team’s needs and how they should prioritize them. We’ll start with the least important and work our way up to the most important.

3. LA Clippers need a backup center

While many see this as a huge need, I think it sits last just because there are so many bigs on the market. Montrezl Harrell seems to be on his way out after playing his way into a bigger contract. Even if he doesn’t leave, the team can still use more size.

There are plenty of options available including the likes of Aron Baynes, Tristan Thompson, and Nerlens Noel. Any of those three or the plethora of other available big men should help shore up the team’s bench.

The center also isn’t as important as of a position as it used to be, especially at the backup spot. Sure, we saw in the playoffs that having no size can definitely have an impact but with Ty Lue now running the show, Ivica Zubac should probably see more run.

Clipper fans should definitely expect some big man to join the roster on Friday afternoon but I don’t think this move will be the big one of the day. With so many options, the Clips will be able to snag someone that fits their needs. I don’t think this move will take up too much thought.