The Los Angeles Clippers have quietly made some of the best moves this offseason. From the addition of John Collins to the recent signing of Bradley Beal, the Clippers have effectively become one of the most competitive teams in the Western Conference.
But the team’s offseason roster construction project is far from complete. Although their starting rotation makes for a potent lineup, the Clippers will need to improve their bench strength if they hope to make a deep run in the playoffs.
ESPN’s Shams Charania highlighted this and pointed out a specific need the team would look to fulfill when he said:
“The one need for the Clippers right now is the point guard position, a reverse guard coming off the bench. I’m told they have Chris Paul on their radar among some other free-agent guards as well. I don’t expect them to make any immediate decisions yet.”
While Chris Paul is viewed as the most likely target, there are several options that the front office could consider at this stage. As the need to cultivate roster depth increases, we examine the top five point guard prospects for the Clippers in free agency.
Chris Paul
Chris Paul is widely viewed as the most likely target for the team. After completing his term with the San Antonio Spurs, Paul is available on the free agency market. Even at 40 years old, he remains one of the best in the business.
Last season, the veteran guard played in all 82 games with the Spurs, putting up an average of 8.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. These are incredible figures for a rotation player coming off the bench.
When considering Paul’s legacy with the Clippers, it seems like an obvious decision for the front office to pick him up on a veteran’s minimum contract. Although the guard has drawn attention from the Milwaukee Bucks, the 40-year-old has expressed a preference to be closer to his family in Los Angeles. This also plays into the Clippers’ favor.
Although reports have suggested that the veteran guard is seeking out a starting role, this may not be attainable with the Clippers. But in a situation where he comes in off the bench with the second unit, Paul could prove to be an extremely competent and reliable floor general.
Malcolm Brogdon
Another player who may be of interest to the Clippers in free agency could be Malcolm Brogdon. The former ROTY played last season with the Washington Wizards. Although his injuries have kept him sidelined for the better part of his career, when healthy, the guard has shown himself to be an asset.
Brogdon played in 24 games for the Wizards last season. In this period, he recorded an average of 12.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.
The 32-year-old has proven himself to be a solid point guard, offensively and defensively. He is an effective playmaker and scorer. When healthy, he is also a formidable defensive player who can hold his own against most guards coming off the bench.
As an unrestricted free agent heading into next season, Brogdon has a lot of value to a title-contending team. With the need for a reliable point guard off the bench, the Clippers could benefit from making a run at signing the former ROTY.
Marcus Smart
Another potential addition to bolster the Clippers’ backcourt depth is Wizards guard Marcus Smart. The former DPOY is expected to be bought by the Wizards soon, and on the free agent market, he is likely to garner a lot of interest from teams around the league.
Marcus Smart is one of the best defensive guards in the NBA. Although injuries affected his performance last season, his effort and his leadership make him a high-value addition to any team looking to compete.
With the Wizards, Smart notched an average of 9.3 points and 2.5 assists per game. While his playmaking stats left more to be desired, he notched 1.1 steals per game, which is a promising sight considering his defensive upside.
At 31 years old, Smart is still capable of being a significant contributor to a title-contending team. He has also shown the ability to be an effective perimeter threat, averaging 39.2% from three-point range during his stint with the Wizards.
Off the bench, his defensive effort and leadership could be vital in keeping the momentum going after the first changes are made. On a cap-friendly contract, the guard brings nothing but value to the team.
Monte Morris
Phoenix Suns guard Monte Morris could prove to be an effective addition to the Clippers’ bench rotation. As a veteran guard with significant playoff experience, the 30-year-old has the potential to increase the team’s bench strength.
Morris is the quintessential modern-day point guard. While he is capable of making plays for his teammates, he has enough in his offensive arsenal to create shots for himself.
Last season, Morris received very little playing time, averaging only 12.7 minutes a game. Despite limited minutes, Morris averaged 5.2 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, showcasing solid productivity.
The 30-year-old brings a lot to the table for the Clippers. He is a reliable shooter from beyond the arc, having averaged 36.0% from three-point range last season. Although his defense isn’t spectacular, he is capable of holding his own against most bench players in his position.
While this may not be a high-value addition for the team, it certainly does give them depth and flexibility. On a veteran’s minimum salary, Morris would simply be increasing the team’s bench strength.
Josh Giddey
A more challenging, but worthwhile pursuit for the Clippers could be Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey. As a restricted free agent, there are some immediate obstacles to acquiring him. But with a likely exit from Chicago on the horizon, LA could benefit greatly from adding him to their roster.
Giddey is an immensely interesting guard prospect. After four seasons in the league, the guard has displayed an incredible ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates while simultaneously being a crafty scoring threat himself.
At 6’8″, the addition of a player like Giddey would give the Clippers an incredible amount of flexibility. There are numerous ways to integrate him into the starting rotation, thanks to his positional versatility.
Last season, the 22-year-old recorded an average of 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game, while shooting 46.5% from the field and 37.8% from beyond the arc. This aspect would also give the Clippers more flexibility in managing James Harden‘s minutes.
As promising as this scenario would be, acquiring the 22-year-old could prove to be difficult. With the guard demanding an annual salary of $30 million in his new contract, the Clippers don’t have the cap space to acquire him.
An offer of anything less would simply play into Chicago’s plans at this stage. In such a scenario, a sign-and-trade would be the only possible way to acquire the talented guard.
The Clippers Are Poised To Be Contenders
The Clippers’ postseason campaign came to an end after a grueling seven-game series against the Nuggets.
With both of their superstars healthy, it was evident that the Clippers were a threat in the West. When considering the additions they have made to their team, they are poised to be contenders next season.
The Western Conference is going to be stacked. In preparation for the competition, the Clippers have done a terrific job of acquiring the right pieces to fortify each position. Barring the injuries that could occur during the season, few teams are equipped to overwhelm LA’s team at full strength.
