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.
Today will be really interesting!
— َ (@monstatrezz) November 20, 2020
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.
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.
1. The LA Clippers have to re-sign their guys
This should be the priority. The key two guys for the LA Clippers to bring back are Marcus Morris and JaMychal Green.
Green opting to not exercise his player option hurts but that doesn’t mean he is a goner. The team will have to shell out some money to retain his rights but doing so is a necessity. Circling back around to the need of a big man, Green can help. He’s not a traditional center but has shown he can be effective in spurts and should absolutely get some run at the five. His game fits well next to pretty much any player and the Clippers’ front office should give him whatever he wants within reason.
For Morris, the team just won’t find talent like his on the market in their price range. Thanks to having his early Bird rights, the Clippers can bring Morris back for up to $18 million a year. What he actually gets remains to be seen but the team should be a competitive offer.
Giving up a first round pick for Morris would look horrible if they lose him in free agency. Bringing him back for another season makes that move sting a lot less and he has shown he can be a solid third piece in the Clippers’ starting lineup. On nights that Kawhi or PG rest, he can take over the offense as the de facto first option.
If the Clips lose both of these guys, they will be hurting. With no money outside of their exceptions and holes that already need to be filled, the Clips cannot afford to lose depth at other positions.
Do you agree with these rankings? Let us know on Twitter and keep checking here as free agency kicks off for the LA Clippers!