It has been almost a full year since the Los Angeles Clippers cemented their status as NBA title contenders.
The Clippers made the playoffs last season on the strength of an 18-9 run after trading then-star Tobias Harris, and they also pushed the Golden State Warriors to six games in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. This was already a good team.
But Lawrence Frank an Michael Winger would pull off one of the biggest blockbusters in league history last summer, trading for Paul George and signing 2019 Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard practically in the middle of the night.
The acquisition of both George and Leonard instantly made the Clippers one of the favorites to win the 2019-20 NBA championship. It also set up a thrilling “Battle for L.A.” narrative, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis looking to lead the Lakers to a title.
Indeed, the Clippers were one of the best teams in the NBA prior to the suspension of play. Los Angeles was second in the West with a 44-20 record, looking every bit the dangerous team they were thought to be during the preseason. However, there were small melodramas threatening to disrupt L.A.'s chemistry throughout the year.
Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic reported on some of the Clippers' internal issues back in January. This included everything from issues with respect to Leonard's “load management” to claims of selfishness.
Some of the vented frustrations have prompted pundits to speculate whether this group can coexist. The Clippers will still head to Orlando for the NBA restart as one of the favorites to win the title. But what happens if they come up short?
Here are a few players who could be on the move if the Clippers fail to win the 2019-20 NBA title.
Marcus Morris
Morris was almost going to be a rental, anyway. He initially signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Knicks before being traded to the Clippers. But his days in L.A. are probably numbered.
For starters, the Clippers are not likely to pay Morris in excess of $15 million, nor are they likely to give him a multiyear deal. Secondly, Morris has struggled to fit in with the Clippers.
The 30-year-old was having the best year of his career during his stint with the Knicks. Morris was averaging 19.6 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting nearly 44 percent from beyond the arc. He looked like the kind of floor-spacer and physical wing the Clippers needed to spare George minutes when possible and act as a third option in the first unit.
Instead, Morris has been a disappointment. Through his first 12 games with the Clippers, Morris was averaging 9.5 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting below 40 percent from the field, including just 28.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Morris has been able to add some toughness on the defensive end. But he seems fairly helpless to fit in alongside Leonard and George offensively.
Perhaps the Clippers would be better off pursuing a shooter like Joe Harris in free agency.
Lou Williams
Williams' contributions to the Clippers organization are notable. He won back-to-back Sixth Man of the Year Awards in 2018 and 2019.
But it would not be a surprise to see the Clippers try to move Lou Will.
Williams will be in the final year of his contract next season, and he turns 34 in October. There is no question the “Underground GOAT” can still fill it up and provide crucial bench scoring. But there are also questions about fit.
Whereas Morris at least has value as a catch-and-shoot guy, Williams is more of a creator off the dribble. He works well as a playmaker in the pick-and-roll, most notably with Clippers big Montrezl Harrell.
But Leonard in particular has seen a spike in usage rate. In fact, he has the highest usage rate of his career, per Basketball Reference. With the offense flowing through Leonard and George also needing some isolation touches, where does that leave Williams?
Additionally, though he has improved as an individual defender, Williams is still a liability on the perimeter. In fact, Williams' -1.4 Defensive Box Plus/Minus is the worst on the team.
Do the Clippers really need more offensive-minded players on the roster? Or would they be better off pursuing another competent wing defender?
Williams is still a valuable member of the current roster. But given the team's makeup, his age and the fact he will be on an expiring contract, there is a chance the Clippers look to move Williams sooner rather than later.
Montrezl Harrell
Harrell seems like the most obvious casualty.
The 26-year-old has had the best season of his career. Harrell was averaging 18.6 points and 7.1 rebounds through 63 games. He is relentless on the offensive glass, and is a fairly stout rim protector as an undersized center.
But Harrell is in the final year of his contract, and will almost certainly be due for a fairly significant contract in free agency. Moreover, Harrell has been at the center of some of the purported chemistry questions.
Harrell has openly criticized the team's lack of energy and passion throughout the year, most notably after a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at the start of January.
Of course, Buha and Amick reported Harrell was not the only one feeling discontented with the vibe in the Clippers locker room. Los Angeles also went 6-2 after Harrell's comments, which might suggest he is a spark plug, of sorts.
But there are simply too many questions. On the one hand, the argument could be made the Clippers should re-sign Harrell in the event Leonard and or George elect to opt out after the 2020-21 season.
Simultaneously, it is reasonable to see Clippers' management doing whatever is necessary to build around their two superstars in the hopes they can retain both players for the long haul. This could make it that much more unlikely they ink Harrell, especially if there remain questions about his ability to coexist with L.A.'s stars.
Conclusion
In looking at the Clippers' payroll commitments, these three players might not be long for L.A. should they fail to win a title.
Players like JaMychal Green could also be on the move, and Patrick Patterson will be a free agent at the end of the year.
But in terms of high-profile players, all of Morris, Williams and Harrell could be on different rosters next season.
Follow Us
Subscribe