7 X-factors who could shape the 2020-21 NBA season

4. Serge Ibaka

The LA Clippers weren’t as active as their in-stadium rivals during the offseason. The one significant roster addition they did make, however, has the chance to be more impactful than any of the new guys playing in purple and gold.

Serge Ibaka shot 37.8 percent on catch-and-shoot triples last season. As someone who has transitioned to the center spot full-time, that type of spacing will afford a five-out lineup LA never embraced because it was never comfortable with the personnel — whether Marcus Morris, Jamychal Green or Patrick Patterson — it would use to play the stretch five.

The 31-year-old isn’t as vertically active on the defensive end as he was in his youth. Waning athleticism is made up for in IQ, where the former champion implements the instincts previously used to swat shots to beat smaller guards to their spots and get a quality contest.

Montrezl Harrell caused problems at both ends for the Clippers throughout their disappointing postseason. The lack of size that was seriously exposed against Nikola Jokic wasn’t made up with any type of floor spacing offensively. LA already has its rim runner in Ivica Zubac. They need further roster flexibility to stay ready for any situation.

Ibaka might still find himself overwhelmed by Jokic and Anthony Davis, though his know-how gives him a better shot at making things difficult. Defensive awareness and floor spacing might not provide anything tangible, but they’re the contributions far more conducive to the only type of success LA is interested in, ones they hope can help right the embarrassing wrongs of the bubble.