The Los Angeles Clippers were one of the best stories of the 2018-19 season. If their plans become reality this summer, though, they'll enter next season looking markedly different from the team that first withstood the trade of its leading scorer to make the playoffs, then pushed the two-time defending champions to six games in the first round.
Coach Doc Rivers understands that reality, but isn't concerned about new blood eroding the culture his team worked so hard to cultivate this season.
“We know that we’re not going to have the exact same team that we had last year,” he said, per Jovan Buha of The Athletic. “But we also know that we can change our team and still have the right culture and the same culture. I think that test was proven on the trade night and what happened afterwards.
“So it’s already in place.”
Patrick Beverley, who Rivers raved about both during and after his team's hard-fought loss to the Golden State Warriors, is a free agent this summer. So are midseason additions Garrett Temple, Wilson Chandler, and JaMychal Green, the latter of whom had some success starting at small-ball center against Golden State.
Decisions on those players will likely be put on hold until the Clippers learn where marquee players will go in free agency. It's no secret Los Angeles plans on courting Kawhi Leonard, who's from the area, and also has eyes for Kevin Durant, who received widespread adulation from players and coaches after he led the Warriors to victory in the first round.
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