Since the start of the Kawhi Leonard and Paul George era, the LA Clippers have signed, traded, and waived a number of players. They may have been let go for various reasons, such as fit, poor performances, or even off-the-court issues. However, they will always be a part of the Clipper family.
Furthermore, the starting lineup has changed several times. In fact, Ivica Zubac is the only player on the current roster that has played through the entire era. This backs up the countless times the LA Clippers’ front office has made a move.
That said, here are the five worst players that have started for the LA Clippers since Leonard and George joined in the 2019 offseason.
5. Serge Ibaka
Though Serge Ibaka’s time with the LA Clippers may be unforgettable, he cracks the list at number five due to his availability. When he played, he made sure to show his 100%. Ibaka was a beast on defense, and he could space the floor, which made the game easier for Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
The issue was that in his only full season in LA, he suited up for 41 games. This added pressure on the starting center and the coaching staff to make the proper adjustments.
Luckily for the Clippers, Isaiah Hartenstein stepped up the following year and dominated the backup center position. This forced the front office to trade Ibaka at the deadline as he was unable to sustain his health.
Had Ibaka remained injury free, he would have easily gone down as one of the most important players to ever play for the LA Clippers.
4. Landry Shamet
Once the LA Clippers traded with the 76ers to acquire Landry Shamet, many thought he would flourish into an all-star talent. This was a reasonable assumption at the time, as Shamet was playing in a fantastic situation with one of the league’s best developmental staff. He was phenomenal from beyond the arc, great at playmaking, and a solid defender around the perimeter.
Furthermore, Shamet shined at first glance. In 25 games after the 2019 trade deadline, Shamet averaged 10.9 points, 2.3 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in just under 28 minutes a night. What’s even more impressive is that, during this time frame, he shot 45.0% from three on six attempts.
Following Shamet’s rookie year, it was safe to say that the LA Clippers landed a top-of-the-line three-point shooter. Although this was true, the Wichita State product was very inconsistent. This made him unplayable in certain situations throughout the year.
Moreover, the inconsistency became very evident in his sophomore season. This held back the team’s potential, especially in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George’s first year in LA. Not to mention Shamet’s numbers dropped in nearly every single category. This gave the front office all the evidence they needed to trade him on draft night.
That said, Shamet was still an integral part of the franchise’s history. He played a pivotal role in the start of the Leonard and George era and drilled a playoff three-pointer that will be remembered forever. Additionally, he did the best he could and played his heart out with no questions asked. That’s all you can ask for from a young stud looking to find a home in the NBA.
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.
2. Eric Bledsoe
The LA Clippers receiving Eric Bledsoe for Patrick Beverley was a move that will go down in team history. This is because of Beverley’s impact on the culture of the ‘new era’ Clippers. As a result of this trade, many fans were upset despite receiving a seasoned point guard like Bledsoe.
Furthermore, there were better options on the market than Bledsoe, but he had what it took to get the job done. He was still an exceptional defender and an above-average playmaker on the offensive end. Additionally, he was a well-respected veteran who played a crucial role in developing guys like Terance Mann. These three attributes alone brought him minutes on the court.
On the flip side, Bledsoe was a liability when it came to shooting the three-ball. This made it easy for opponents on defense as they did not have to fully contest his three-point attempts. Not to mention he was undersized, which limited how effective he could be on both ends of the court.
Moreover, the coaching staff was put in a problematic position as Bledsoe could only be put to full use in a small-ball lineup. Though this strategy may have concealed his inability to shoot three-pointers, the undersized center was disadvantaged when rebounding and blocking shots on defense.
Due to Bledsoe’s weaknesses, he was traded in a major deal to the Portland Trail Blazers. In return, the Clippers received two elite role players, Norman Powell and Robert Covington. This trade was widely regarded as a significant win for LA’s front office.
All in all, Bledose’s inefficiency places him at the number two spot on this list. While he was a great veteran on and off the court, he had a minimal impact on the LA Clippers and their championship aspirations.
1. Maurice Harkless
After the LA Clippers traded for Maurice Harkless, many fans hoped the team would be much better on the defensive end. This was the bare minimum, as Harkless was extremely lengthy and athletic. Not to mention he had quick feet, which basically made him a cheat code on the perimeter.
However, once the season began, these hopes quickly faded away. Sure, Harkless was a solid defender. But he provided close to nothing on the offensive end. As a matter of fact, Harkless only attempted 4.3 shots per game in his time with the LA Clippers. The coaching staff saw this as a major red flag, as he still needed to contribute offensively to stay on the floor.
Moreover, with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on the floor, Harkless’ defense was of no use. There was no point in playing him if he couldn’t elevate the lineup in a way that they needed. In addition, the former 15th overall pick was a below-average free-throw shooter. This made the job of the opposing team relatively easy.
On that note, the LA Clippers gained heavy interest in New York’s star forward, Marcus Morris Sr. This paved the way for Harkless to be traded to the Knicks at the deadline, along with draft compensation.
Nevertheless, Harkless finds himself at the number one spot due to his limited offensive play. He may have been a great veteran for the team’s youth, but he didn’t make it an entire season with the LA Clippers before being traded elsewhere. This backs up how little of an impact he had on the franchise.