Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers were eliminated from the playoffs in the Western Conference Finals versus the Phoenix Suns in six games.

Kawhi Leonard was sidelined with a knee injury for the entire series, but his player option looms large for the organization. If I had to guess, Leonard returns for at least one more season with the Clippers after the team made its first appearance in the Conference Finals.

What’s one way to ensure Leonard elects to sign his player option or an extension with the Clippers? Get him a player he’s played with before and won a championship with.

Fred VanVleet played a marquee role in the Raptors winning a title back in 2019 when Leonard spent one season in Toronto. Besides getting a familiar face in the building, Leonard would finally get a point guard on the Clippers that could take some pressure off of him to create others.

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While Reggie Jackson was brilliant in the postseason, VanVleet would be a massive upgrade at the point guard position next season.