The LA Clippers restructured their roster this offseason in preparation for a long stretch of the year without Kawhi Leonard. They've added defense in Justise Winslow, ball-handling in Eric Bledsoe, drafted three young guards, and retained their all their big-name free agents.
Here are three burning questions that the Clippers will have to answer next season.
1. Youth movement or vets in pursuit of a playoff spot?
The LA Clippers have a number of young players on their 2021-22 roster. They drafted Keon Johnson, Jason Preston, and Brandon Boston Jr. this offseason, adding to a team that already features Terance Mann, Luke Kennard, and Ivica Zubac. They signed all three of their rookies to guaranteed deals, including Boston, who secured the most guaranteed money for a player selected in the 50's of an NBA Draft.
On the other hand, however, their core features Nicolas Batum (32 years of age), Marcus Morris (31), Reggie Jackson (31), Serge Ibaka (31), Paul George (31), Eric Bledsoe (31), and Kawhi Leonard (30). While Leonard is expected to miss a significant portion of the season due to his surgically repaired ACL, the Clippers have a very mixed group.
So that begs the question: Can the Clippers focus on developing their youth while also pursuing a playoff spot with a veteran-laden team.
In theory, the Tyronn Lue-coached Clippers should be able to put an emphasis on their young guys throughout the season. They did a good job of it last year, giving Terance Mann an increased workload, mostly due to roster injuries, while slowly bringing along Luke Kennard. Those players weren't rookies, however, so it'll be interesting to see how the team maneuvers both sides of the spectrum.
2. Which young player will take the next big step?
The, ‘who will take the biggest leap,' question feels like a two-way tie that could go either way or both way. Terance Mann and Luke Kennard are both primed for big seasons, in my opinion.
Mann made huge strides as last season went along, capped off by his incredible 39-point performance against the Utah Jazz in Game 6 of the Conference semi-finals. The guy who was once thought of as a non-shooter finished the season shooting 41.8 percent from three, knocking down six big ones in the clincher against Utah. Luke Kennard has essentially been given the reigns to the second unit with the additions of Eric Bledsoe and Justise Winslow.
Brandon Boston Jr. made the most of his Summer League minutes and was the most impressive of the Clippers' three rookies. His feel for the game on the offensive end was apparent. He consistently knocked down shots from beyond the arc, and even showed his off-the-dribble game a few times. If I had to guess, I believe Boston would be one of the first rookies in the rotation.
Jason Preston struggled to start Summer League, but found his stride by the third game and played well in the fourth and fifth games. He finished averaged 9.0 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.4 turnovers in 24 minutes per game. He'll slot behind Reggie Jackson and Eric Bledsoe. Finding time for Preston may not be easy, but you have to figure the Clippers want to find a way to get him some run.
Keon Johnson was selected the highest of any Clippers draft pick and is also the youngest. He feels like the biggest project the Clippers will be working on developing. The 19-year old Johnson showed flashes of athleticism on both ends of the floor, but the key with him will likely be developing his scoring on all levels while finding a way to harness that athleticism.
Every young Clipper will have an opportunity to impress this season. Which one will have that ‘breakout' type of year?
3. When can Kawhi Leonard return?
Kawhi Leonard's status is 1000% up in the air right now. After undergoing offseason surgery to repair a partially torn ACL, Leonard has been given no timetable to return.
The two-time NBA Finals MVP was seen walking around NBA Summer League gingerly with the surgery scar on his knee.
Kawhi Leonard watching the young Clippers at Summer League.
You can see what appears to be the scar from the ACL surgery on his right knee. pic.twitter.com/Pi7BspFOCC
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) August 10, 2021
According to multiple reports, surgeries on a partial ACL tear are typically reconstruction surgeries the same way an a full rupture is operated on. It's unclear whether Leonard is ahead, behind, or on track, given that he hasn't spoken to members of the media in months and there's no telling when he will.
If Leonard is able to be cleared for basketball activities in March, he'd have a couple months to ramp up to playing in actual game action, assuming the Clippers reach the playoffs. Given his history with injuries, however, it feels like a safe bet to assume he won't play at any point this upcoming season unless told otherwise. A lot can change over the next seven-to-eight months, so everyone will have to take a wait-and-see approach with Leonard.
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