7. Luc Mbah A Moute
Through a specific period of time when the LA Clippers were missing a defensive wing, the front office signed an All-Defensive caliber player in Luc Mbah A Moute. He spent two seasons with the Clippers, then rejoined for a third toward the end of his career.
While his defense may have boosted the Clippers’ potential, his age and offensive capacities prevented the team from achieving their goal. Despite having a promising veteran, this coerced the front office to move on to another candidate.
That said, Mbah A Moute’s best season with the Clippers occurred in 2016-17. He averaged 6.1 points and 2.1 rebounds through 80 games played. Additionally, the main reason why he played 22.3 minutes per night was that he could take on the challenge of the opposing team’s best player on a nightly basis. This was a luxury to have, as most teams struggled against the best wings in the NBA.
Moreover, these numbers being his best season, statistically back up why the Clippers did not pursue a long-term future. In 2018-19, his final stint with LA, Mbah A Moute posted 5.0 points in 15.3 minutes but only played four games before being ruled out for the rest of the season due to left-knee surgery.
Though he had his moments, Mbah A Moute’s skill set was not seen as a match with the Clippers. The defense may be prominent, but being unable to score the ball at a league average will hold a player out of a contract for quite some time.