Entering the 2021 offseason, the LA Clippers were very limited in what they could do. They were already very cap-strapped, and their means to improve the team relied solely on re-signing their free agents and trading for players under contract. Well, it was that, and the mid-level exception, which many thought would be spent on a guy like Nicolas Batum.
Their first order of business for the Clippers was reaching an agreement on a new deal with Kawhi Leonard. It took until the fifth day of free agency before the news officially came down that Leonard was returning to the Clippers. During that time, reports surfaced that Leonard was hoping to take meetings from other teams. The odd part about that is the teams who were reportedly interested in him quickly spent their money in free agency. Obviously, a sign-and-trade would've been on the table, that all that proved to be just talk. The two-time Finals MVP not only agreed to return, but he agreed to a four-year deal that would secure both he and Paul George as Clippers for the foreseeable future.
Leonard is expected to miss a significant chunk of the upcoming 2021-22 season, and there's a very real likelihood that he doesn't play at all this season. Still, his commitment to the Clippers on a four-year deal is a massive win for the organization.
The second order of business for the Clippers was getting commitments from their other free agents: Reggie Jackson and Nicolas Batum.
Surprisingly, Batum agreed to return to LA on day one of free agency, allowing members of Batum Battalion worldwide to sigh in relief. The Clippers' French Army Knife took a bit of a pay-cut from what he could've gotten in free agency, including deals from the Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors.
Jackson agreed to a two-year, $21.6 million deal with the Clippers a few days after Batum did. While he reportedly received interest from the New York Knicks and New Orleans Pelicans, it was clear his intentions were to remain with best friend Paul George and the team he said save him last year.
In a surprise move after retaining all their free agents, the Clippers went out and reached an agreement with Justise Winslow. The free agent forward left the Memphis Grizzlies on good terms, but with a lot still to prove. Winslow played just 26 games with Memphis after an injury-riddled start to his career with the Miami Heat. The move to join the Clippers is a low-risk, high-reward move due to the low cost it took to get Winslow and the potential to get a solid ball-handler and defender in the absence of Kawhi Leonard.
Quite possibly the biggest move of the offseason, however, came when the Clippers agreed to trade Patrick Beverley, Rajon Rondo, and Daniel Oturu to the Grizzlies for Eric Bledsoe. Considering how much Beverley embraced being a Clipper and how much Clippers fans embraced Beverley, losing him hurt. Beverley changed the culture of the Clippers, bridging the post-Lob City era with the Kawhi, PG-led Clippers.
The trade to bring Eric Bledsoe to Los Angeles saved the Clippers over $30 million in luxury tax, created an $8 million trade exception, got a younger guard to replace Patrick Beverley, and got two expiring deals off the roster heading into a year that very well could not feature Kawhi Leonard.
Last, but certainly not least, the Clippers entered NBA Draft night with only one pick and came away with three: Keon Johnson, Jason Preston, and Brandon Boston Jr.
All three players showed flashes of potential during the NBA's Summer League, but Boston Jr. likely stood out the most. He showed the ability to be a three-level scorer despite being just 19 years of age, which explains the contract he got. According to Keith Smith of Spotrac, Boston, the 51st pick in the Draft, received the most guaranteed money for a player selected in the 50's that also didn't spend time playing overseas.
It's unclear how much burn the rookies will actually get on a Clippers team that is stacked with veterans, but the organization didn't give all three of their rookies guaranteed deals to have them sit on the bench for a few years.
When you look at the NBA Draft, free agency, and the trades they made, The Clippers made all the necessary moves to maintain their pursuit of a championship. They didn't have to give up much in terms of important parts, and took in players who have had their issues in the past, but could very well turn out big for them.
All in all, the LA Clippers get an A- from me.
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