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The LA Clippers proved to be a strong team without Kawhi Leonard last season. But they also learned a perhaps pretty obvious lesson that without him, they aren't contenders for the championship. The team around Leonard and Paul George is strong but not perfect. The 2022 NBA Draft can help them improve their roster, but it won't be easy.
The Clippers' have just the 43rd overall pick in this year's draft. It's extremely likely that they trade the pick since they already have some young players on the roster that they should look to develop. Adding another unproven youngster to a team that has championship aspirations and already has a few of them may not be worth it. However, the possibility of finding a cost-controlled rotation player is enticing. The Clips could also try trading up for someone in the second round.
Since the Clippers only have a second-round pick, there isn't much they can address in the draft. Still, they have a few minor needs that they could partially solve with a second-round gem.
Clippers' 3 biggest needs entering 2022 NBA Draft
3. Offensive rebounding
Collecting boards on the offensive end won't make or break the Clippers but is something that they did poorly last season. Since Ivica Zubac and Isaiah Hartenstein are each strong offensive rebounders — they both have offensive rebounding percentages above 10, which is an elite mark — the Clippers should look for someone built to play alongside them as a forward.
Purdue's Trevion Williams stands out in this area. He posted an offensive rebound percentage of 17.0 percent across his four collegiate seasons. His rapidly improving playmaking could make him a solid power forward for Ty Lue and the Clippers.
2. Rim pressure
LA needs more players who can attack the basket with regularity. Kawhi Leonard will definitely help in this area once he returns from injury. Still, the Clippers could use someone prone to getting downhill and drawing fouls.
The Clippers could use someone who can penetrate defenses and provide floor spacing for the impressive collection of shooters that LA has. Their ability to space the floor from behind the arc gives any young slasher a great deal of help as they look to find their footing in the NBA.
It makes sense to look for a point guard for this specific skill. However, the Clippers have a strong collection of guards/wings and are used to playing with unconventional lineups. Wake Forest's Jake LaRavia or Colorado's David Roddy, for example, can play in the middle of a forward-heavy lineup. They wouldn't have to be the lead ball-handler. Rather, they could use the room that Leonard or George give them to attack the rim. LaRavia is a brilliant off-ball cutter while Roddy is a fullback that should be able to move professional players.
1. A point guard
The likelihood that Reggie Jackson leaves in free agency after this season seems incredibly slim. Although his contract will expire, he said that playing for LA helped him rediscover his love for the game. Regardless, they should try their luck on finding a floor general.
At least for the purposes of finding someone who can play behind Jackson or be good enough to allow him to return to a sixth-man role. Utilizing Jackson's scoring abilities off the bench could give very strong balance to the offense when Leonard returns.
More experienced players like Gonzaga's Andrew Nembhard and Wake Forest's Alodnes Williams will most likely be available. Younger players with potentially more upside like Alamaba's JD Davidson and Overtime Elite's Jean Montero could be risks worth taking for LA. Finding any player who can play is a plus for a team with just a second-rounder in the NBA Draft.
