Signing this free agent would make LA Clippers unstoppable

The LA Clippers are stacked with superstars, top-tier role players, and young talent. Adding another veteran who can contribute off the bench and be seen as a locker room presence will only help them in the long run.

The Clippers need a backup center after they lost Isaiah Hartenstein to the New York Knicks. Through an injury-riddled career, Hassan Whiteside has made a name for himself throughout the years. He’s been on quite a few NBA teams and is currently an unrestricted free agent.

Whiteside can help the LA Clippers in numerous ways, as multiple ingredients are needed to build a championship-level roster. He not only brings veteran experience, but he also brings elite rim protection and rebounding. Whiteside can also help with the development of Moussa Diabate.

Bringing along a veteran big like Hassan Whiteside on a veteran minimum contract would be huge for the LA Clippers. The 7-0 center could be instrumental against teams with elite big men who make their impact in the paint. The Clippers would not have to rely on Ivica Zubac to battle all 48 minutes as they would have Whiteside, who can provide a much-needed spark off the bench.

Hassan Whiteside is still a high-end center

Adding Hassan Whiteside benefits the LA Clippers in several ways. Last season, Whiteside averaged 8.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 65.2% from the field in only 17.9 minutes per game. These numbers are phenomenal, especially considering Whiteside is 32 years old.

Hassan Whiteside is also one of the best defensive centers in the NBA. Last season, he posted a defensive rating of 109.0 with a block percentage of 71.5. Additionally, Whiteside averaged 8.3 contested shots per game with a per 36 of 3.2 blocks per game. This shows how big of a factor Whiteside can be on the defensive end.

Hassan can be a menace in the paint

Not only is Whiteside a great rim protector, but he is also an outstanding rebounder. Last season, Whiteside averaged 1.4 “box outs” per game with a “player rebound when boxing out” percentage of 75.9. Furthermore, Whiteside averaged an “offensive box out” percentage of 64.5. This is where Whiteside can be highly impactful as the LA Clippers were ranked 26th last season in offensive rebounds per game.

Although Whiteside is entering his 13th season of professional basketball, he can still be a contributing factor on both ends of the floor. When the LA Clippers have to face teams like the Nuggets, 76ers, Timberwolves, and Cavaliers, Whiteside will be needed to help protect the rim against top-tier centers. Whiteside would also be expected to show his leadership skills when the team is facing adversity.

The LA Clippers are slowly becoming the scariest team in the NBA. Making the addition of Hassan Whiteside would instantly put the Clippers at the top of the Western Conference. Having a player like Whiteside that can rebound and protect the rim at a high level would terrorize opposing teams.

The biggest, and most important factor in the process, is health. If the Clippers can remain healthy, they should have no problem making a deep playoff run.