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LA Clippers: Agua Caliente standouts of 2020-21

By Jordan German

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 18: A general view during a G-League game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Westchester Kicks at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on February 18, 2021 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) 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.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 18: A general view during a G-League game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Westchester Kicks at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on February 18, 2021 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) 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. /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 09: James Palmer Jr. #60 of the Phoenix Suns in action against John Konchar #46 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2019 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 09, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 09: James Palmer Jr. #60 of the Phoenix Suns in action against John Konchar #46 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2019 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 09, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Agua Caliente Prospect: James Palmer Jr.

James Palmer Jr. is in his second year with the AC Clippers, and his stint has been a really beautiful one for the team so far. At 6’5″, Palmer is a flexible player that plays a guard and forward combo in an equally successful fashion. His minutes per night were up to 32.9 at the end of the season, and there is a good reason for his increased use on the court.

Palmer’s numbers continue to stay solid, and he was averaging 16.1 points, 2.8 assists, and 4.8 rebounds in 2020-21. His shooting percentages are relatively low at 44.0% in field goals and 29.6 in threes, but his drive to the rim and the layups that he continues to put in make those numbers obsolete in terms of his offensive capabilities.

Truly, it is amazing to see some of the buckets that Palmer has fall down for him, he has a certain magic to his hands that make playing basketball look way too easy. His defensive rating also improved to a decent 104.2 this year, and so did his net rating, which is now at only -3.0. If he can continue to trim down the turnovers (1.8) and get his offensive rating from 101.2 to 106.5 again, Palmer would be a very interesting player for the Clippers to try out in the NBA.

For the LA Clippers, James Palmer Jr. seems to be an absolute must keep prospect. With the talent he possesses in getting timely buckets as a forward and his improving defensive play as a guard, Palmer absolutely has the potential to make it up to the NBA very soon if the Clippers need that extra depth. It would be a real treat to see Palmer’s career in the G League pay off for him, but if it isn’t a stint with the Clippers, I know that Palmer could easily find a home with a lot of other NBA teams that aren’t as stacked.

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