The LA Clippers are in a terrible place after the fallout from the Kawhi Leonard situation. That doesn't change the fact they have basketball to play, and need difference makers they can afford. As such, waiving Yuki Kawamura makes no sense as the point guard could have been their heart.
In case you've been living under a rock, the NBA dropped the hammer on the Clippers for salary cap infringements surrounding Leonard's time with the team. The punishments included heavy fines, the loss of several first-round draft picks, and multiple suspensions for excutives from the organization.
Keep in mind that this is hot on the heels of James Harden bailing on the Clippers at trade deadline just as they were finally getting something going. The team was also already losing Leonard to Toronto in a trade that included Brandon Ingram, who has been out injured since he arrived in LA.
Basically, the Clippers are in a terrible spot and there aren't a lot of options. And somehow, they're still not the worst team in their conference or the league. Keep in mind the only club they've been able to beat so far was the Kings. Losing to Sacramento would have been salt in the wound for the Clips.
LA needs to double down on Yuki Kawamura
During training camp and preseason, the Clippers brought in Kawamura, a Japanese point guard who has been around the league for a couple of years. He's fast, has dimes like Joker, and can shoot. Plus, Kawamura's basketball IQ is through the roof. He's just looking for a team to give him a real shot.
Instead of doing that, the Clips chose to waive Kawamura and assign him to their G League affiliate. That means he's still kind of in the mix and on the team's radar, but they're not ready to pull the trigger on making him a full member of the roster. Considering where LA is at, that's insane.
Now is the time to take big swings. Call up Kawamura, and put him to work. His high-octane style of play could be the boost the Clippers need to find a solid rhythm in a rough time. At this point, there's no reason not to give Kawamura a real shot. Well, except for his height, of course.
Teams keep passing on Kawamura because he's 5'7", making him the smallest player in the NBA by four full inches. That's a bit of an issue on defense. At the same time, Kawamura is on the court to be an offensive engine and the heart of the team. And the Clippers need some heart right now.
Add us as a preferred source on Google