The Los Angeles Clippers’ active summer may be a harbinger of things to come during the 2018-19 season.
Next year’s Los Angeles Clippers are going to be a team to monitor. Will they compete for the playoffs despite being in a loaded Western Conference? Or, will they decide to sell off some of their assets and build for the future?
By the looks of it, Jerry West has prepared his team to do both. They drafted guard Jerome Robinson out of Boston College and traded up for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who could end up as the top point guard of his class.
Additionally, the squad welcomed back Avery Bradley and Luc Mbah a Moute to the team. Bradley only managed to play six games for the Clippers, but his partially-guaranteed contract could prove useful. Mbah a Moute can serve as a valuable defensive player with 3-point capability.
Mike Scott gets to continue his redemption story in Los Angeles, but he will be competing with Mbah a Moute and fan favorite Montrezl Harrell for frontcourt minutes.
Who did the Clippers let go? They parted ways with one their team leaders, DeAndre Jordan. Jordan opted out of his contract and decided to join the Dallas Mavericks instead. How will his absence impact the Clippers? Time will tell. To help replace Jordan, the Clippers swapped Austin Rivers for Marcin Gortat and his large expiring contract.
The significance of many of these arrivals and departures will hinge upon the future direction of the club. Will the Los Angeles Clippers fight for a playoff seed, or will they choose to rebuild? Fortunately, they have the flexibility go either way.