After a shocking collapse in this year’s playoffs, Los Angeles Clippers decided to make some changes to position themselves in a more successful run in 2020/21. The organization already made a change in the head coaching position and could reportedly follow that by adding a new floor general.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith recently reported that Clippers’ superstar Kawhi Leonard has requested from the front office to add a point guard in the offseason. According to Smith, Leonard would like to play with a guard that “can run a team and can shoot,” something Clippers lack at the moment.
Clippers have Patrick Beverley at the guard but he isn’t exactly a capable creator or facilitator. Beverley brings energy on the defensive end of the ball but is often a liability on the offense. Backup Lou Williams, on the other hand, is focused too much on scoring and can’t do much in other departments.
If the LA Clippers decide to give Leonard what he wants, they would need to be creative. On the free-agent market, they could go for Slovenian playmaker Goran Dragic, but it is highly unlikely that he would accept mid-level exception money, which is the max the Clippers can offer him.
On the other hand, there is always an option for the Clippers to execute a trade. Beverley and Williams might be moved on, as well as youngster Landry Shamet. Dealing Marcus Morris and Montrezl Harrell through sign-and-trade is also a possibility.
The path that Clippers take will also depend on the style of basketball that new head coach Ty Lue wants to play. But something tells us that Leonard’s wishes won’t be disregarded, especially since he can opt-out of his contract after next season.
