Ranking the 5 worst Clippers starters of the PG, Kawhi era

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Patrick Patterson, LA Clippers – Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Patrick Patterson

One of the most questionable signings in recent memory for the LA Clippers was Patrick Patterson in 2019. This was seen as unreasonable by the front office as the Kentucky product did not provide LA more than what they already had. Outside of a solid three-point shot and a presence in the paint, the 6’8″ Kentucky product was basically a liability when it mattered most.

Furthermore, Patterson averaged 4.9 points and 2.6 rebounds in his first season with the LA Clippers. What must be noted is that he shot nearly 40% from three on 2.9 attempts per night. Conversely, these numbers do not show how slow his feet were when guarding the perimeter. Quick, young guards would utilize their first step and fly by Patterson for an easy bucket. This is where the team struggled.

Moreover, once the 2020 playoffs rolled around, Doc Rivers, the head coach at the time, made the proper adjustment and cut Patterson’s minutes significantly. In fact, he only stepped foot on the court twice in the postseason for an average of five minutes per contest. This ultimately shows how his weakness forced the coaching staff to keep him out of the game.

In the following offseason, the Clippers’ front office re-signed Patterson as he was still an above-average shooter and could space the floor. But, yet again, his lack of perimeter defense gave the coaching staff no choice but to sit him out as much as possible.

As the year progressed, his playing time slowly decreased. This was a sign that his time with the Clippers was coming to an end. In the 2021 offseason, he joined the Portland Trail Blazers on a training camp deal. The Clippers did not bring him back; their focus was building a young foundation. Patterson did not meet these requirements as he was past the age of 30.

Nonetheless, Patterson cracks this list at number three due to his immobility on the defensive end. His three-point shooting was useless if he could not hold his ground against the best talent in the world.