The Los Angeles Clippers have a great chance this summer of putting together a roster that can contend. With their cross town rival Los Angeles Lakers facing uncertainty, the Clippers have a real chance to steal their thunder. As constructed, they have a roster of role players who play hard every night. That’s exactly what superstars are looking for. Here’s why the Clippers are the perfect destination for superstars this summer.
The Clippers Front Office Is Elite
As it’s been well documented, the Clippers have a front office that’s elite. They have owner Steve Ballmer, who’s net worth is $41.4 billion. So Ballmer will be more than willing to spend to make sure the Clippers contend.
In the front office, they also have President of Basketball Operations, Lawrence Frank, who’s a former head coach in the NBA. Frank coached the Jason Kidd led New Jersey Nets (2004-2010), so he’s definitely no slouch when it comes to basketball IQ.
Jerry West Is The Ace In The Hole For The Clippers
Last but not least, the Clippers have “the logo” of the NBA in Jerry West at their disposal. When it comes to West, don’t let his consultant title in the front office fool you. He’s definitely going to have his fingerprints all over free agency this summer. He’s the brightest mind the NBA has ever seen. West started working in the front office in 1982 when he became the Lakers general manager.
When West left the Lakers in 2002, he left with six NBA championships. He also put together great dynasties that consisted of Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant. West, however, is also a man that loves to challenge himself.
So in 2002 after leaving Los Angeles, West became the general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies. West got the most out of what he had in Pau Gasol, Jason Williams, and James Posey, which is similar to what the Clippers are doing right now. In 2004, he won the executive of the year award and helped the Grizzlies become a respectable franchise.
West is also a great recruiter. He recruited O’Neal to Los Angeles and in Golden State, helped the Warriors land Kevin Durant in 2016. This bright and historic basketball mind gives the Clippers a significant edge. The Lakers, New York Knicks, and Brooklyn Nets will have their hands full.
Perfect Role Players For Superstars To Play With
For those who haven’t fully caught on to what the Clippers are trying to do this summer, look at their roster. Yeah, it’s not a roster that’s going to “wow” you, but it’s respectable. It’s also a perfect one for superstars to want to join. Stars love not only good role players, but role players who know and embrace their role.
The Clippers have that. They have guard Patrick Beverley, who brings it every night. They have guard and “professional scorer” in Lou Williams. On any team, you need at least a couple of players who play with an edge. Forward/Center Montrezl Harrell is that guy. He’s similar to Draymond Green when it comes to his energy and his grit. Harrell is perfect to play with because he doesn’t need the ball to be effective.
Three point shooting is the name of the game in today’s NBA. The Clippers also have that at their disposal in Danilo Gallinari and sharpshooter Landry Shamet, who was acquired from Philadelphia in the Tobias Harris trade. Obviously, they won’t be able to keep every role player. But if the Clippers land a superstar like Kawhi Leonard, Durant, or Kyrie Irving, they could have players who would start elsewhere take less money to join them.
Doc Rivers Is One Of The NBA’s Best Coaches
When you hear the chatter of the NBA’s best head coaches, Doc Rivers‘ name isn’t mentioned as much. But it should be. The Clippers have worked with basically two different rosters this season.
After sending Harris to Philadelphia before the trading deadline, they’ve had to integrate new guys in. There was a stretch this season that most thought the Clippers would miss the playoffs, but Rivers has made sure to keep his team together.
During the early years of his tenure in Los Angeles, Rivers had Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan to work with. But the trio couldn’t lead the Clippers past the second round. Most thought Rivers only was a good coach because of those three players, but he’s proven people wrong.
After Chris Paul went to Houston in 2017 (sign and trade), most thought the franchise would fall flat on their faces. However, the opposite happened. Last season the Clippers went 42-40, just coming up short in their pursuit of the final playoff spot in the western conference. This season, they’re 40-30, which is eighth in the once again brutal western conference. An argument can definitely be made that this season is Rivers’ best coaching job yet.
Most have wanted them to tank because if they do, they’ll be able to keep their first round pick this summer. The Clippers, however, have other ideas. They understand superstars want to go to a team and organization that’s about winning.
It also doesn’t hurt to have a great culture in place that blends in with that. With Rivers, West, perfect role players, and Ballmer signing the checks, they’re showing everyone that they aren’t the same Clippers most made fun of. They’re now respectable and will be very appealing to superstars. Everyone should really start keeping their eyes on.
