Not only did the Oklahoma City Thunder win the NBA Finals last season, as there is an annual winner, but they gave the rest of the Western Conference countless reasons to look at their roster and sit in awe. Sam Presti set a high standard, and teams like the Denver Nuggets followed, with quality offseason additions around their superstar center, Nikola Jokic.
However, based on each team’s flaws and weaknesses, the Nuggets took distinct features from Oklahoma City, and the LA Clippers used a different route. LA does not have the best isolation scorer in the world, like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but their easily exposed big man rotation was something Frank addressed, using the Thunder as the blueprint.
Moreover, the Thunder’s front office and coaching staff placed a heavy emphasis on frontcourt versatility. Former lottery pick Chet Holmgren was the most notable of the bunch, and Oklahoma City opted to pay him a five-year max contract before any team could even make a call on a possible trade.
Holmgren’s two-way game with Isaiah Hartenstein’s inside dominance helped win every second of the ball game. If Mark Daigneault chose the small-ball route, he also had one of the best second options in the league to use in the frontcourt as well, with Jalen Williams.
Thus, after considering the strength of Oklahoma City’s big man rotation, the Clippers went and added Brook Lopez and John Collins to surround Ivica Zubac.
Depending on the matchup, the LA Clippers can go double-big or small-ball, just like the Oklahoma City Thunder
Just like last season, there will be no difference in the following year, as Ivica Zubac must remain in tip-top shape with most of the big man minutes going to him each game. He is excellent for his size and has plenty of muscle to remain healthy over the course of what should be another breakout campaign.
Furthermore, Tyronn Lue will have to decide the power forward based on matchups. Teams like the Nuggets will force LA to play with size, making Brook Lopez an option at the four-man, but with smaller opponents who are wing-dominant, John Collins will take over.
Going fully small-ball will be seldom next season, and should be the least out of any every year of the Kawhi Leonard era, yet there is a chance, and Collins will act as the center with the two-time champion or Nicolas Batum as the power forward.
That said, these possible lineups of maximum versatility were only possible after the Clippers glanced at the Oklahoma City Thunder and replicated what Sam Presti did with their frontcourt.