The Los Angeles Clippers misplaced within the first spherical of the playoffs to the Denver Nuggets final season.
The Los Angeles Clippers completed the common season sturdy, and Kawhi Leonard entered the postseason in good spirits.
It appeared just like the postseason can be an extended battle for the Clippers, however in the long run they had been as soon as once more eradicated within the first spherical of the playoffs.
The Clippers entered the offseason with out a lot flexibility, however had been nonetheless capable of make some good additions alongside the sting.
The Clippers, Utah Jazz, and Miami Warmth agreed to an offseason commerce that sends Norman Powell to Miami, John Collins to Los Angeles, and Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson, and the Clippers’ 2027 second-round choose to Utah.
The Clippers let go of Powell, who was simply coming off a profession yr, however added precisely what they wanted in John Collins.
Collins is an athletic and versatile energy ahead who will probably be a lob risk alongside James Harden.
He would additionally permit Kawhi to return to the small ahead place, which might alleviate a lot of his bodily workload.
Tim Legler talked in regards to the Clippers buying Collins and praised the transfer.
“John Collins is a very gifted participant. He is been with Utah the previous few years, however they are not a staff you watch, so you do not take note of them. They did not even play each evening as a result of they weren’t attempting to win video games. So that you type of forgot about him.”
“However in the event you assume again to when he first drew consideration in Atlanta, this can be a legit No. 4 participant size-wise with that type of bounce, and now he is added the flexibility to step out and shoot the three. He is a mid-range soar shooter in one-on-one motion. He may also choose, roll, lob or pick-and-pop. He is a very good offensive participant.”
“This provides the Clippers a very completely different stage of offensive participant to play with within the second unit. He could begin. Coach Ty Lue stated he does not know but what the beginning lineup will probably be. He could or could not begin. Both method, if he comes off the bench, he’ll probably play 25 minutes.”
“I believe they acquired a man who simply shut up and goes on the market and scores 16 or 17 factors a recreation in his profession with out enjoying lots of minutes. He scores simply and appears like a breath of contemporary air. You possibly can inform that any of those gamers who went from a staff that wasn’t attempting to win in any respect to a staff that now thinks they will compete are very grateful to be in these spots.”
“It was enjoyable. Every part in regards to the recreation was enjoyable. John Collins can be a man that I have a look at and assume, ‘What a pleasant pickup.’
Collins wasn’t the one transfer the Clippers made this summer season. The Clippers added various veterans, together with Bradley Beal, Brook Lopez, and Chris Paul.
The Clippers at the moment have the oldest roster in NBA historical past and the second-oldest beginning lineup within the league behind the Golden State Warriors.
Nevertheless, having lots of veterans on the roster might be factor for a staff desperately attempting to beat obstacles and win a title.
The Clippers have nice depth from high to backside, however as they do each season, they should keep wholesome.
