Los Angeles Clippers

Key Acquisitions: F/C Serge Ibaka, F Marcus Morris, G Luke Kennard, F Patrick Patterson, G Reggie Jackson

Key Departures: C Montrezl Harrell, F JaMychal Green, G Landry Shamet, F Mo Harkless, G Rodney McGruder

While the Los Angeles Clippers do still have Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, making them one of the betting favorites in the Western Conference, losing Montrezl Harrell hurts this team big time and it will show this season. He was more than a big-time scorer and rebounding threat down low as he was one of the main voices in the locker room for the Clippers and next to Patrick Beverly, was the heart-and-soul of this team. 

Now, with Montrezl Harrell taking a walk across the Staples Center to join the Lakers, the Clippers will have to adjust to veteran big man Serge Ibaka, who has proven to still be a reliable scorer and rebounder at 31-years old. In addition to being able to play in the low-post, Serge Ibaka can also spread the floor and play from the perimeter, as he shot 38.5% from three-point range with the Toronto Raptors last season.

While Lou Williams and Patrick Beverly both contribute to this Clippers team on the offensive end and defensive end of the court respectively, both guys are complete opposites to each other and are liabilities for the Clippers when on the court. Los Angeles is a very good defensive team on the court with Beverly, however, he can struggle shooting the ball and is susceptible to turning the ball over. 

Lou Williams on the other hand is one of the best scoring threats off the bench in NBA history but is a liability on defense for a Clippers team that hangs their hat on that end. At just 6-foot-1 and with a small frame, bigger teams tend to target Williams and are able to get to the rim with success. With Montrezl Harrell no longer underneath to block shots and Serge Ibaka not being much of a shot-blocker over the last few seasons, the Clippers could have their struggles in the paint defensively this year— particularly against teams like the Lakers and Nuggets.

It is clear to see that the Clippers looked to add as much perimeter shooting as they could this offseason as they not only brought back Marcus Morris, Patrick Patterson, and Reggie Jackson, all guys who can score in bunches from the perimeter, but they traded away Landry Shamet for Luke Kennard.

Shamet is more of a playmaker and gets to the rim easier, but Kennard is a knock-down three-point shooter who has shot over 40% in his first three seasons in the league. The Clippers will benefit from that contrast in style alongside the key members of their roster. Especially when considering the shortcomings Shamet had in key moments last season.

The Clippers did not get better this offseason after their early departure in the Western Conference Semifinals and losing Montrezl Harrell will really hurt this team on the defensive end of the floor. If the Clippers do not make the Western Conference Finals this season, something they have not done in their entire franchise’s history, management may completely flip this roster around next offseason.