The Los Angeles Clippers spent much of the offseason contemplating on their failure in the 2020 playoffs. Despite having the best roster in the NBA (on paper), they suffered an epic collapse in the Orlando bubble that sent them home in the second round.
Team owner Steve Ballmer responded with several personnel changes, firing head coach Doc Rivers and bringing in defensive big-man Serge Ibaka to replace the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Montrezl Harrell.
According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, there may be even more changes to come over the next few weeks…
“They’ve ultimately talked about chemistry issues, so I’m shocked Lou Williams is still there. I’m shocked Pat Beverley is still there… I can’t imagine (them) being on the team much longer.”
Several execs believe the Clippers will trade Pat Bev and Lou Will
“They’ve ultimately talked about chemistry issues, so I’m shocked Lou Williams is still there. I’m shocked Pat Beverley is still there… I can’t imagine (them) being on the team much longer.”
(via @sam_amick) pic.twitter.com/CLz6YNNg8K
— Top Ball Coverage (@TopBallCoverage) December 12, 2020
Lou Williams and Patrick Beverley were key members of the team last season. As an 18-point-per game scorer last season, Williams provided a huge spark off the bench for LA. Beverley, meanwhile, was a tone-setter on defense, bugging opponents and being a disrupter on the basketball court.
There’d likely be significant interest in both players on the trade market, but it remains to be seen how determined the Clippers are in trading their two top role-players this upcoming season. If they want to reset their chemistry and build a new identity, it might be sooner rather than later.
