LA Clippers: Ranking all five projected starters for 2020-21

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Paul George #13 Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard #2 during overtime against Boston Celtics at Staples Center on November 20, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. It was the first time this season the pair played together after joining the Clippers. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

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3. C Serge Ibaka

Serge Ibaka will be the only newcomer who joins the starting lineup for the Clippers next season. The team will be hoping his addition and championship experience – and his reunion with former Toronto Raptors teammate Kawhi Leonard – will help get them over the postseason hump next year.

That being said, Ibaka is a player on the wrong side of his prime. He’s 31 years old now, an elder statesman in the NBA. He didn’t average at least a block per game last season for the first time in his career. Ibaka also lost his permanent hold on a starting spot, coming off the bench for half of the Raptors’ games.

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But Ibaka did still show a propensity to put the ball in the hoop. He averaged 15.4 points per game, a career-high for the Congolese big man. He also hit 38.5 percent of his threes, his best mark since the 2016-17 season.

Ibaka brings a different offensive skill set to the center position than Montrezl Harrell or Ivica Zubac did last season. Neither of those players are 3-point shooters. Ibaka’s presence will allow Lue to potentially put five decent shooters on the court regularly. In addition to being LA’s third-best starter, Ibaka will also surely be the team’s X-factor.

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