The LA Clippers entered free agency with one main goal in mind: retain Kawhi Leonard, Reggie Jackson, Nicolas Batum in order to run it back next season, and try to improve on the margins with what little assets they had via free agency.
They made a few moves this offseason, and with ‘back to school' already here for most the United States, we're here to take a look at each move and grade them. We start with star forward Kawhi Leonard.
Kawhi Leonard – A+
Well, this is a no-brainer. Re-signing Kawhi Leonard was the Clippers' top priority this offseason. Even without Leonard on the roster, the Clippers surpassed the salary cap, so they had literally no options to replace him in case he decided to leave. That, however, never even seemed to be under consideration.
Kawhi Leonard's camp and the Clippers were dead silent in the weeks leading up to free agency as well as a few days into free agency. Aside from that, teams appeared to be operating with the sense that Leonard was returning. By the time the moratorium came to a close and free agents were able to sign their newly-agreed upon deals, there was little money available even if Kawhi Leonard suddenly decided he did want to leave. That wasn't the case.
Leonard decided to return and has been finalizing a deal with the Clippers. At the end of the day, that's exactly what was expected. The contract details for Leonard's new deal with LA aren't known at this time, but signing a two-year deal with a player option for the second year would allow him to hit free agency during the summer of 2022. If what's expected to happen, happens, Leonard has the opportunity to then sign the largest contract in NBA history next summer at five years and $235 million.
Kawhi Leonard has no timetable to return, but is expected to miss a good chunk of the 2021-22 season. Even when he's medically cleared, the Clippers forward who averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game last season will surely take his time working his way back into game shape.
Re-signing Kawhi Leonard gets an A+ from me!
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Reggie Jackson – A
In eight playoff games without Kawhi Leonard, Reggie Jackson averaged 21.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 3.0 three-pointers per game on 48.5 percent shooting.
Given the Early Bird rights the Clippers had, their free agency limitations, and Leonard being out for an extended period of time, it was an absolute no brainer to do whatever it took to retain Reggie Jackson.
Jackson delivered a moving press conference following the Clippers' Game 6 loss to the Suns.
“This year was my best year,” Reggie Jackson said. “The most challenging year. The most fun year. Not sure I was going to play. Ups and downs. Guys were injured. Still found my way into this locker room. First thing I told these guys was, ‘thank you for saving me.' I appreciate every guy in that locker room.”
"My 10th year has been my best year. The first thing I told those guys is thank you for saving me. I appreciate every guy in that locker room."
– A very emotional Reggie Jackson spilled his heart out after the game. pic.twitter.com/5TkL9M3FPS
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) July 1, 2021
Factor in the lack of experienced ball-handlers and scorers on this Clippers team, and this Jackson signing gets an A+ from me.
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Nicolas Batum – A
The Clippers Swiss Army Knife — or rather, their French Army Knife — had an absolutely phenomenal season. Coming off a year with the Charlotte Hornets where he hardly played, dealt with injuries, and looked completely washed, Nicolas Batum revived his career under head coach Tyronn Lue and became a literal game-changer for the Clippers.
Batum was inserted into the starting lineup throughout the playoffs as Lue elected to go small, forcing their opponents to guard a five-out offense with big men like Boban Marjanovic and Rudy Gobert.
In 10 postseason starts fro the Clippers, Batum averaged 9.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. The team was 7-3 in games that he started, so clearly a bit of a blueprint was found in Batum's ability to play the center position.
Coming into the year, Nicolas Batum admitted he even had doubts about how good he could be following a few rough years in Charlotte.
“Yeah. Kind of because when you start listening to all the noise, you say maybe I'm done for sure and you come back and play this way. I was kind of surprised like, ‘Oh, maybe I'm not that bad actually. I'm not done.'”
"Yeah. Kind of because when you start listening to all the noise, you say maybe I'm done for sure and you come back and play this way. I was kind of surprised like, 'Oh, maybe I'm not that bad actually. I'm not done.'"
Nicolas Batum on if he surprised himself with his play. pic.twitter.com/IeNEEY3pPD
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) July 1, 2021
Batum could've joined his buddy Rudy Gobert and the Jazz as well as Stephen Curry and the Warriors. Instead, he chose to run it back with the Clippers. This signing gets an A from me.
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Justise Winslow – B
Justise Winslow is the type of low-risk, high-reward signing a championship contender makes to try and round out the roster.
While the Clippers won't have Kawhi Leonard on hand, they'll have a guy who can be just as physical defensively.At 6-foot-6 and 225 lbs, Winslow has the physical attributes to continue being a great defender. The only question that surrounds Winslow is about his health. In a piece written earlier this week detailing what the team can expect from Justise Winslow, a lot of his impact will come down to health.
Winslow has been a solid defender a gifted as a ball-handler, and someone who gets to the basket a lot. 54.6 percent of Winslow's shot attempts are within 10 feet while 27.3 percent of his shots have come from beyond the arc, as noted earlier this week.
During his last season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Winslow averaged 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. He played sparingly, but has shown flashes through the years when given the opportunity. It's unclear whenever Justise ] Winslow will start, have big plans, or even play significant minutes at any point this season.
There are some concerns, but given the potential, however, I'll give the signing a B.



















