1. Jason Preston
One of the LA Clippers’ biggest question marks over the last two seasons has been the development of Jason Preston. He is in the last year of his contract and is set to become a restricted free agent next offseason.
Some fans may wonder why Preston has yet to flourish into the player he was expected to be. Well, the biggest reason is the foot injury he faced before his rookie season. This put his playing confidence in a challenging position, which has forced him to work his way up in the G-League.
Furthermore, since 2021, the LA Clippers have had numerous championship-contributing guards, such as Reggie Jackson, John Wall, and Russell Westbrook. Additionally, the front office recently traded for another young point guard in Bones Hyland. This shows that there is no room for another guard to gain playing time in the active rotation.
Moreover, Preston dominated the G-League last season, averaging 16.7 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 47.9% from the field. Based on these numbers, he is exceptionally talented. But, in the opportunities he has received from the LA Clippers, it appears he has lost his confidence when attacking the rim. This is not a good sign for a player looking to prove himself.
That said, with Westbrook and Hyland soaking up all the minutes, Preston will likely spend most of the regular season in the G-League. Conversely, there may be opportunities later in the year for the former Ohio product to contribute instantly. Preston must stay ready to prove he is worthy of a prominent bench role.