Offseason Grades - LA Clippers

[bondom34]

Almost forgot this and continuing the Pacific with the Clippers.

K_Chile22's Grade:

Los Angeles Clippers transactions

Front office
none.

Draft
Drafted Keon Johnson at #21 (acquired from NYK).
Drafted Jason Preston at #33 (acquired from ORL).
Drafted Brandon Boston Jr. at #51 (acquired from NOP).

Trades
Traded #24 and 2024 2nd rounder (DET) for #21.
Traded 2026 2nd rounder and cash for #33.
Traded 2022 2nd rounder and cash for #51.
Traded Patrick Beverley, Rajon Rondo and Daniel Oturu foir Eric Bledsoe

Free agency
Re-signed Kawhi Leonard, 4/max.
Re-signed Reggie Jackson, 2/$22M.
Re-signed Nicolas Batum, 2/$6.5M.
Signed Justise Winslow, 2/$8M.

Offseason Thoughts
Nothing about the draft particularly excites me, Keon is a solid upside play at 21, but not really significant enough to matter much in my grade.
Did well to retain both Batum and Reggie, Kawhi felt like it was always happening, but still good. Winslow is just a swing, don't really care about that signing at all either way.
Not sure how much better they got from a Beverley+Rondo for Bledsoe deal, but they saved a lot of money and didn't get worse I don't think, so it's solid.

Grade
B. Think there was a good shot they lost both Reggie and Batum, but managed to hang onto both. Locked Kawhi up for multiple years past this one. They didn't do a whole lot but did well in what they did do, and wasn't much opportunity to do something else, so can't really knock them for inactivity as far as adding outside talent.

2022 Prediction
Top 3 in the west.

Offseason in gif form


Mamba4Goat's Grade:

Los Angeles Clippers transactions

Front office
none.

Draft
Drafted Keon Johnson at #21 (acquired from NYK).
Drafted Jason Preston at #33 (acquired from ORL).
Drafted Brandon Boston Jr. at #51 (acquired from NOP).

Trades
Traded #24 and 2024 2nd rounder (DET) for #21.
Traded 2026 2nd rounder and cash for #33.
Traded 2022 2nd rounder and cash for #51.
Traded Beverly, Rondo, and Oturu for Bledsoe.

Free agency
Re-signed Kawhi Leonard, 4/max.
Re-signed Reggie Jackson, 2/$22M.
Re-signed Nicolas Batum, 2/$6.5M.
Signed Justise Winslow, 2/$8M.

Offseason Thoughts
They got one of the biggest steals in the draft with Keon Johnson, and their two second round picks are two of the better picks in the second too. I may be in the minority but...I like getting Bledsoe too. At the bare minimum, they need someone to hold them over for the regular season and that is exactly what Bledsoe can do. Kawhi re-signing for a 4 year deal is great news. The Reggie Jackson deal was a bit rich but it's only two year so, meh. Loved them getting Batum to return and getting a flier on Justice Winslow (who could steal Bledsoe's spot).

Grade
A. They upgraded (Bledsoe), kept key players (Jackson, Batum), and got a great offseason flier for cheap again (Winslow), and had an amazing draft. They likely did enough to keep them in the playoffs while waiting for the team to get healthy too.

2022 Prediction
6-10 seed.

Offseason in gif form



Bondom34's grade:

Los Angeles Clippers transactions

Front office
none.

Draft
Drafted Keon Johnson at #21 (acquired from NYK).
Drafted Jason Preston at #33 (acquired from ORL).
Drafted Brandon Boston Jr. at #51 (acquired from NOP).

Trades
Traded #24 and 2024 2nd rounder (DET) for #21.
Traded 2026 2nd rounder and cash for #33.
Traded 2022 2nd rounder and cash for #51.
Traded Beverly, Rondo, and Oturu for Eric Bledsoe

Free agency
Re-signed Kawhi Leonard, 4/max.
Re-signed Reggie Jackson, 2/$22M.
Re-signed Nicolas Batum, 2/$6.5M.
Signed Justise Winslow, 2/$8M.

Offseason Thoughts
I started looking into grading this one and didn't expect to have much to say. After looking it over I still don't because honestly I can't even find anything much to complain about.

To be honest the 2022 season for this team is mostly waiting out Kawhi's recovery, so the goal to me was to run it back with minor tweaks but nothing major and aim for value on the margins. They kept Batum on the cheap, took a shot on Winslow that I like for them, and though Jackson's number might be a touch high annually its only 2 years (and I'm not entirely sure if its too high or if I'm undervaluing him).Along with that locking up Leonard on a long term deal is a big win.

Full disclosure noted here (applicable to all teams): I'm tending to knock teams more for free agency/trades than purely where they draft a player unless its something I just don't "get" if that makes sense. To use an example, I had Jalen Suggs 2nd on my board but I "get" that some were higher on Mobley or Green and can at least let that pass without knocking a team much. That applies here as though I was lower on Johnson and Boston I see what LAC is going for and I understand.

They entered the draft with 24 and left with adding 3 rookies, 2 of who I was admittedly lower on in terms of where I'd seen them projected by some but both of who were fine value where they were taken in Johnson and Boston. It seems the plan is loading up on wings who might be able to playmake some and go from there and I don't mind the idea one bit.

To add to all of this they swapped out point guards and saved a ton of actual cash in a deal that didn't downgrade the roster really so another move I can't complain about.

Grade
A

2022 Prediction

6-8 in the West

Offseason in gif form

[babyjax13]

I liked everything but the Winslow signing. I think they would have been better off keeping the roster spot open to see if anyone shakes loose during the year, for a trade, or if a player looked good in the gleague. Winslow is always injured, and has almost always sucked.

[Mamba4Goat]

I liked everything but the Winslow signing. I think they would have been better off keeping the roster spot open to see if anyone shakes loose during the year, for a trade, or if a player looked good in the gleague. Winslow is always injured, and has almost always sucked.

Fwiw unless I’m messing something they’re at 14 roster spots right now with the waiving of Yogi Ferrell so they’re not really in dire need of that roster spot.

[ejftw]

I liked everything but the Winslow signing. I think they would have been better off keeping the roster spot open to see if anyone shakes loose during the year, for a trade, or if a player looked good in the gleague. Winslow is always injured, and has almost always sucked.

Fwiw unless I’m messing something they’re at 14 roster spots right now with the waiving of Yogi Ferrell so they’re not really in dire need of that roster spot.

Since they picked up Amir's QO, my bet is that he takes the 15th slot. They can easily send cash and a SRP to dump him if needed, ala Kabengele last season

[TheNewEra]

Team got younger and more athletic so a win for me

[eminence]

Solid if not particularly loud offseason (unless you thought Kawhi was leaving). I’d give it a B-.

Lower seed in the West though, look fringe playoff to me, they caught the magic for a few games, but don’t see them holding up well to a season without Kawhi.

[babyjax13]

I liked everything but the Winslow signing. I think they would have been better off keeping the roster spot open to see if anyone shakes loose during the year, for a trade, or if a player looked good in the gleague. Winslow is always injured, and has almost always sucked.

Fwiw unless I’m messing something they’re at 14 roster spots right now with the waiving of Yogi Ferrell so they’re not really in dire need of that roster spot.

Since they picked up Amir's QO, my bet is that he takes the 15th slot. They can easily send cash and a SRP to dump him if needed, ala Kabengele last season

Winslow is making almost $4 million and has two years guaranteed - I don't see a team willing to take him for a single second, and if they were, it's probably because he ends up playing well enough for the Clippers they don't want to move him (I just think that scenario is unlikely).

[Texas Chuck]

Thought they could have done better than Bledsoe. Don't think Winslow is worth wasting your exception on.

But that's minor really. Kept Kawhi, kept Jackson, kept Batum all much more important moves.

I'm pretty fine with this considering their options. They get a B from me. Could have been a A had they made better new additions, but maybe Bledsoe last year was an aberration because he's been a solid RS player up until then. But considering how so many of their guys got played off the court completely in the playoffs I hate bringing in a guy who can't play against anyone in the playoffs--not just getting played off by Luka Doncic.

[kobe_vs_jordan]

Give them a B. Think they should have traded for Westbrook. WB could helped get them to the postseason.

I don’t see as is as a playoff team in the west.

[ejftw]

Fwiw unless I’m messing something they’re at 14 roster spots right now with the waiving of Yogi Ferrell so they’re not really in dire need of that roster spot.

Since they picked up Amir's QO, my bet is that he takes the 15th slot. They can easily send cash and a SRP to dump him if needed, ala Kabengele last season

Winslow is making almost $4 million and has two years guaranteed - I don't see a team willing to take him for a single second, and if they were, it's probably because he ends up playing well enough for the Clippers they don't want to move him (I just think that scenario is unlikely).

Was referring to Coffey, but think the same could work for Winslow, as the cash sent out would be enough to cover the remainder of his pro rated salary.

But I'm in a different boat and loved the Winslow signing since I think he could provide the defense needed to help skate by, and could give Lue the option of really going to a five man unit that can switch everything for spurts with him, George, Mann, Batum and Mook.

[Texas Chuck]

But I'm in a different boat and loved the Winslow signing since I think he could provide the defense needed to help skate by, and could give Lue the option of really going to a five man unit that can switch everything for spurts with him, George, Mann, Batum and Mook.

Defensively that lineup is super fun, but you couldn't play that lineup offensively. Yikes that's rough. Winslow even when he was "good" was tragicly bad offensively. Like among the very worst wings in the entire Association bad. And that's if you can even get him on the court which is a crapshoot at absolute best. But PG and Morris cannot carry that unit offensively for any meaningful stretches.

[ejftw]

But I'm in a different boat and loved the Winslow signing since I think he could provide the defense needed to help skate by, and could give Lue the option of really going to a five man unit that can switch everything for spurts with him, George, Mann, Batum and Mook.

Defensively that lineup is super fun, but you couldn't play that lineup offensively. Yikes that's rough. Winslow even when he was "good" was tragicly bad offensively. Like among the very worst wings in the entire Association bad. And that's if you can even get him on the court which is a crapshoot at absolute best. But PG and Morris cannot carry that unit offensively for any meaningful stretches.

For spurts, I think it could work. Have Mann and Batum stationed at the corners...PG handling it with Mook and Winslow setting the horns. Mook pops, Winslow rolls and PG has his options.

Now, I'm only talking about 3 or so minutes at a time...def not an extended period.

Or you just isolate PG and Mook to one side of the court and have them play high/low.

[jayjaysee]

Bobie’s music starts playing the second the lineup hits the announcers table.

[jayjaysee]

As for the offseason and the thread;

Love it.

I think Johnson was a great pick and has the chance to develop in a great situation.

The team kept Batum and RJ.

They got Bledsoe who should at least help the regular season while Leonard is out, at best he forgets about the last two years and he’s back to being a strong starter.

Locked up Leonard.

Winslow is a decent shot, but I’m not expecting much of anything.

Didn’t really pay to dump anyone or miss any opportunities despite ridiculous payroll.

To me it’s an A.

[TheNewEra]

But I'm in a different boat and loved the Winslow signing since I think he could provide the defense needed to help skate by, and could give Lue the option of really going to a five man unit that can switch everything for spurts with him, George, Mann, Batum and Mook.

Defensively that lineup is super fun, but you couldn't play that lineup offensively. Yikes that's rough. Winslow even when he was "good" was tragicly bad offensively. Like among the very worst wings in the entire Association bad. And that's if you can even get him on the court which is a crapshoot at absolute best. But PG and Morris cannot carry that unit offensively for any meaningful stretches.

For spurts, I think it could work. Have Mann and Batum stationed at the corners...PG handling it with Mook and Winslow setting the horns. Mook pops, Winslow rolls and PG has his options.

Now, I'm only talking about 3 or so minutes at a time...def not an extended period.

Or you just isolate PG and Mook to one side of the court and have them play high/low.

Think Jackson would be in for Mann in these lineups and Mann, Bledsoe, and Winslow would be swapping as the slasher role. This kind of small ball configuration beat Utah and got some games against Phoenix. If healthy the team could go bigger with the C or bring in more shooting with Kennard

[Ballerhogger]

Soild B from me basically restocked the same team . I hope batum can still produce at C going small . Still need another big . Zubac is not the answer . Other than pretty decent . Should be good team