Excellent news: Yanic Konan Niderhauser, the LA Clippers’ first-round pick in 2025, appears to be ahead of schedule in his return from the Lisfranc injury he suffered last season. Along with Brandon Ingram and Max Strus, Niederhauser was briefly assigned to the San Diego Clippers, LA’s G League affiliate, which is a common move teams make before a player is officially cleared to play. For what it’s worth, Strus is already back.
That said, when Niederhauser inevitably becomes available, head coach Tyronn Lue will have his back against the wall, as one of Brook Lopez or Isaiah Jackson, who have both been playing extremely well, will be forced into the third string and have their minutes cut. There is no way for all three big men to fit in the same rotation, given that none of them are capable of playing power forward.
Tyronn Lue will have to cut one of the center’s minutes, and it should be Isaiah Jackson
Surprisingly, the LA Clippers’ center rotation of Brook Lopez and Isaiah Jackson has been phenomenal to start the season. In seven games, Lopez is averaging 12.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.0 block, while Jackson is averaging 9.6 points and 6.4 rebounds, shooting 60.4% from the field.
They’ve certainly done their part in nearly every contest, on both sides of the ball.
Unfortunately, although it shouldn't be either, one of them will get the short end of the stick when Yanic Konan Niederhauser comes back, and it should be Jackson.
Why? Because Brook Lopez offers something he can’t alongside Niederhauser: floor-spacing.
Having Niederhauser, a paint-dominant force, starting and then Lopez off the bench, who can get red-hot from three, or vice versa, puts defenses into a tough spot. With Jackson, that’s not the case, even though he’s flashed signs of a solid jump shot.
There’s another reason: it’s not smart to shave Lopez’s minutes, as he’s someone on an expiring contract the Clippers may look to move on from at the deadline. By keeping him in the lineup, especially because he’s playing well, the seven-footer is building his trade value.
In return, the Clippers know they won’t need a center, considering Jackson has done enough to prove he belongs in the team’s long-term plans. He’ll be in the third string for the time being.
That said, to the common eye, when Niederhauser returns, Tyronn Lue will have a good type of problem on his hands. But on closer inspection, the solution is relatively simple.
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