Following a disappointing loss in front of the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the playoffs, the Los Angeles Clippers enter an offseason that could bring several changes for them. They already parted ways with Doc Rivers, their head coach for the last seven years, and hired one of his assistants, Tyronn Lue to take over this team. That won’t be the only change they make, of course, more so knowing that their star player is asking them to boost a specific position.
Kawhi Leonard has reportedly asked the Clippers to bolster their ranks bringing a point guard. They started Patrick Beverley in that position during the last season, but Pat isn’t exactly what they need right now. The Clippers need a playmaker, a floor general, somebody that makes life easier for the rest of his teammates. Leonard is well aware of that, as the Clippers lacked a playmaker during their series against the Nuggets.
They lacked ideas, they didn’t know what to do with the ball in their hands, which cost them the series, blowing a 3-1 lead. ESPN’s analyst Stephen A. Smith recently said that Kawhi has ‘privately clamored’ for the Clippers to reinforce the point guard position this offseason.
“They clearly need a point guard. Everybody knows it and Kawhi Leonard privately has clamored for one,” Smith said on ESPN’s First Take.
“It’s not that he wants them to get rid of Patrick Beverley, but Patrick Beverley is basically a defensive ace who’s small and has to play opposing guards. So, they need a point guard that can run a team and can shoot.”
There are some good candidates out there to land in Los Angeles. Some veteran point guards will hit the free agency, including Rajon Rondo, who just won the NBA championship with the Lakers, and Fred VanVleet, one of the most reliable guys in his position in recent years.
It remains to be seen what direction the Clippers are going to take, but they know some moves need to be made for them to improve their level and actually compete to get to the NBA Finals.
