With the limitations at point guard, the Clippers should give Preston a call

As the halfway mark of the regular season is approaching, the point guard is one area in which the LA Clippers have struggled. After adding a play-maker like John Wall, the offense was supposed to take a step forward. This elevation has yet to come as Wall is still adapting to the pace of an NBA game, along with a few minor setbacks.

The starting point guard, Reggie Jackson, is still searching for his role. This directly correlates to the superstar duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George missing games. When the squad is healthy, Jackson’s play is phenomenal, as his duties consist of ball handling and spacing the floor.

That said, head coach Tyronn Lue has one more option at point guard that he can look to in times of trouble. The former second-round draft pick, Jason Preston, fits the Clippers’ needs perfectly. His game is adjusted to the modern NBA and will ultimately boost the team on both ends of the court.

One of the reasons Preston has yet to be given a chance in the NBA is because of his minimal experience. Although he missed his rookie season due to an injury, he has bounced back in the best way possible. It makes perfect sense to give him quality minutes before the trade deadline.

Preston’s contributions is something the LA Clippers desperately need.

Thirty-four games into the season, Jason Preston may be the point guard the LA Clippers have been searching for. Though he hasn’t played much with the active rotation, he is clearly one of the best play-makers Lue has to work with. His talent and IQ are something the coaching staff must utilize to the best of their abilities.

Furthermore, Preston has been thriving in the G-League. Through a 16-game showcase, the pass-first specialist averaged 13.4 points, 7.4 assists, and 5.6 boards while shooting 50.0% from the field and 40.3% from three. While an NBA game holds a different level of pressure, these numbers provide a glimpse of Preston’s capabilities.

Moreover, his role on the Clippers would simply be to space the floor and create opportunities for his teammates. Additionally, Preston is a great defender as he stands at 6’3″ and 181 pounds. It would only take a few games of adjusting before Preston shines through Lue’s game plan.

Preston’s stats, play-style, and skill-set prove why he should be given an opportunity with the LA Clippers. As Lue’s primary goal is to win games, inserting the young guard wouldn’t hurt. The coaching staff may ease him into the rotation before increasing his minutes. The time is now to experiment before the playoffs stand right around the corner.