Going into the regular season, almost every position on the LA Clippers is strong and competent enough to help the team compete for the playoffs. Which one isn’t? Center. The Clippers’ depth already wasn’t great with Brook Lopez starting, Isaiah Jackson off the bench, Johni Broome in the third string, and Jamaion Sharp in the two-way slot. This is without Yanic Konan Niederhauser, who doesn’t have an official timetable for a return following the Lisfranc injury he suffered.
Despite the position being the weakest on the team, what does the Clippers’ front office decide to do? Destroy their depth by waiving Broome and Sharp. In no world is making these two moves a good idea, as both had the potential to shine with their number called in the event Lopez and Jackson disappoint while Niederhauser recovers, which is more likely than not.
Additionally, if either Lopez or Jackson has to miss time with an injury, trouble for the Clippers during the middle of the season could brew fast.
Depending on Lopez and Jackson is not the best idea for a playoff-contending team
Typically, a team fighting for a postseason spot, like the LA Clippers, would want sufficient depth, especially where it's weakest. That is almost always the way to go, because if someone underperforms or is forced to miss time, you have other options to keep the team afloat.
However, the Clippers basically said they are content with just two big men, who have notable flaws on both sides of the ball, in the center rotation to start the season, and that’s a recipe for disaster.
Brook Lopez has strengths, but his weaknesses outnumber them. Lopez was never the fastest player on the court in his prime, and now, at 38, his age has slowed him down significantly. He can’t keep up when defending the perimeter, and beyond that, offensively, Lopez doesn’t offer much outside of three-point shooting.
Meanwhile, Isaiah Jackson is a lot younger. Still, he is limited offensively and struggles with physicality. It also doesn’t help that Jackson is undersized at six-foot-eight.
Having Jamarion Sharp, a seven-foot-five elite rim protector, as well as Johni Broome, who brings energy and a high IQ, could’ve really helped if/when the team needed additional support.
That said, the Clippers decided to trim down their center rotation. It was certainly not the best idea, but who knows, maybe they have other plans before the season kicks off.
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