No. 1 free agent target for the LA Clippers that pairs nicely with Paul George: DeMar DeRozan
If we’re talking about giving the LA Clippers and Paul George a Kawhi replacement in free agency, the best one would be DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan by no means replaces Kawhi, but he’s the most complete wing that the Clips are going to find in free agency.
He’s a four-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA selection, and has averaged 22.8 points, 4.9 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game since 2013. He does a bit of everything, and has a deadly mid-range game, just like Kawhi.
He’s shot 46.3% from the field in that time frame, and in these past couple years has figured out how to play forward at a high level.
His positional versatility is really going to help George continue to play and take on assignments where he’s most comfortable. Because like Kawhi, DeRozan can handle many different types of assignments and sizes of opponents on defense.
All of these guys, however, would make life much easier for George. He needs a sidekick in case Leonard does have to miss most of the season, and the Clippers need to act now if they can salvage the cash.