The LA Clippers will have a myriad of moving parts to think about during this offseason. Kawhi Leonard is of course signed long-term, but many other crucial players and their futures in Los Angeles are up in the air as of right now. The biggest of which being Paul George, who has a player option for 2024-25 and could change the framework of this Clippers team if he departs.
There is also the bench to worry about, which is arguably the biggest problem area for this roster as it currently stands. LA's starting lineup is relatively loaded with top level talent all over, but the reserves left something to be desired this past season. If the Clippers want to remain as a top team in the extremely deep and competitive Western Conference, they will need to sure up the bench as well.
But then there is also another less-discussed problem that will be crucial for the Clippers to address this summer as well, and that is the center position. No, I am not calling for Ivica Zubac to be out in any way. He was obviously extremely productive in every way yet again this past season, and numbers-wise he actually had one of the best seasons of his career. When it comes to Zubac, the decision to keep him around and keep him in the starting lineup is a very easy one.
I am speaking of the rest of the centers on the Clippers' roster. Mason Plumlee and Daniel Theis both had productive seasons in Los Angeles in 2023-24, but both are about to become free agents. This topic has basically flown under the radar so far, and it will be important that the front office addresses it as soon as possible.
Two of the Clippers' backup centers will be free agents
The Clippers will likely do everything they can to keep both Plumlee and Theis, but the likelihood that one or even both leaves is there. If that ends up happening, the Clippers could be in big trouble if they do not plan ahead. They will need plenty of depth in the frontcourt, and that is not due to any kind of lack of trust in Zubac.
It all comes down to depth. As you look around the Western Conference right now, two of the best teams are the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets. Both of those teams employ multiple big guys on the interior that can impact the game in a variety of ways, and the Clippers will have to be prepared to take on teams like them in the playoffs.
Playing multiple big men in the same lineup is no longer a thing of the past. It is something the Clippers must adjust their roster for, and be prepared to combat once the postseason rolls around. Keeping Plumlee and Theis would go a long way toward making that happen, but that would really be the bare minimum.
Fans should hope that Clippers' management is proactive and looks to upgrade at the center spot. The more useful bigs they can get at a reasonable price, the better suited they will be to make a deep run in the West next season.