2. LA Clippers have to address their playmaking
Coming in at number two is the need to address the playmaking the team is lacking. Many would probably put this as the number one concern and I totally understand why.
This past season, Kawhi Leonard led the team in assists. Patrick Beverley, while an All-Defensive player and solid shooter, just doesn’t have that ability at all times. On the bench, Reggie Jackson struggled to run the second unit and Lou Williams’ playmaking mostly centered around the pick-and-roll with Trezz.
The Clips already made one move to semi-address this, grabbing Luke Kennard in a draft-day deal. Kennard is capable of making plays, especially compared to the departing Landry Shamet but he’s not a true point guard and should only be seen as a secondary playmaker when on the court.
Here’s the issue though. The free agent market isn’t exactly ripe with potential playmakers. Ricky Rubio at one point seemed like a potential fit should he be moved but once he was sent back to Minnesota, that hope was lost. There are other potential available point guards with Rajon Rondo being the most attractive free agent. Recently, however, he has been linked to the Atlanta Hawks.
The trade market might be a better place to look for one of these playmakers but given the Clippers’ lack of assets, there are no clear moves. The team did pick up some second round picks in the Kennard deal, so perhaps they can grab someone from a team like New Orleans who has one too many on their roster.