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What Happened Last Season:
For any other team in the league, a 51-31 record would be defined as a great season. The Cleveland Cavaliers had the same record and they made the NBA Finals but they aren't the Los Angeles Clippers. The famous step child of Los Angeles, that sits in the shadows of the Lakers franchise.This was supposed to be Paul Pierce's great farewell tour but don't tell that to Draymond Green. It seems like the Clippers always have the same problems, obstacles and curse upon them. The problems started early in the preseason when the Clippers played the Golden State Warriors and got destroyed by 50 points. That was a bad sign. At that point basketball fans like myself figured, this team didn't have a chance to be a championship contender. Maybe a Western Conference Finals appearance, if they avoided the Warriors or the Spurs. An appearance in the conference finals would have been labeled a success since Chris Paul and Blake Griffin have never been past the second round. Los Angeles would have thrown a ticker tape parade if their Clippers made it that far but it never happened.
Chemistry issues and more injuries plagued the Clippers, as always. (Chris Paul and Blake Griffin played 61 games each) It didn’t stop in the postseason, Blake sustained an inury in Game 3 that knocked him out the entire playoffs, again. Last year, it was CP3 and Blake out for the playoffs.
Now the future is uncertain as the Clippers main stars Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and J.J. Redick are free agents. Steve Ballmer, Doc Rivers and newly hired consultant, Jerry West, will have to make some difficult decisions on who they will keep and who they will let go.
Update: The Los Angeles Clippers traded Chris Paul on Wednesday in exchange for Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Darrun Hilliard, DeAndre Liggins, Kyle Wiltjer, a 2018 protected first-round pick and cash (via NBA.com)
Player Option/Unrestricted Free Agents
CHRIS PAUL
BLAKE GRIFFIN
LUC MBAH A MOUTE
Unrestricted Free Agents
J.J. REDICK
BRANDON BASS
RAYMOND FELTON
ALAN ANDERSON
MARREESE SPEIGHTS
Top Priorities
First priority, must be re-signing CP3 and Blake Griffin. If the Clippers are going to be relevant or even mentioned in Los Angeles, one or both of these players have to be on board. They can't lose both or else it will be back to the good ol days for the Clippers. The smartest signing they made so far is getting Jerry West as consultant, away from the rival Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers. Jerry West is a basketball genius and is instant credibility among great executives and circles. He isn't the NBA logo for nothing. He will be able to help the Clippers' brass and management, which includes Doc Rivers who hasn't had the best of luck with free agents or draft picks contributing to the team. West is a savant when it comes to making the right draft picks and bringing in good to great free agents. He’ll consult them on who to select in the draft ( Clippers selected Sindarius Thornwell and Jawun Evans, who are sleeper talents). These picks have Jerry's fingerprints all over them. West will also help with trying to re-sign Paul and Griffin.
Chris Paul and Blake Griffin have decided to opt out of their contracts, which doesn't come as a shock. They wouldn't be smart not to. After all, this is a business. Even though this duo has brought a lot of victories to Clipper land, they have also brought heartbreak to the city of angel's second basketball team. Expectations were high when CP3 and Blake got together. They were supposed to make the finals or at least the Western Conference Finals but injuries and blown opportunities have been this team's kryptonite. It seems as if basketball immortality has passed them by and moved on towards the Golden State Warriors. Paul and Griffin might be just star crossed, and this might be the right time to break the duo up. Whether its egos or just bad mojo on and off the court, things haven't worked out for them. Separating the two would probably be good for both of their basketball careers. Now I wouldn't be surprised if the two came back because the Clippers can give them the most money. Business wise, there is more opportunities in Los Angeles considering life after basketball. As well, its Los Angeles, who doesn't want to live in L.A. So the Clippers organization and their superstar duo will have to make a tough decision this summer.
Potential Target:
With J.J. Redick being a free agent, the Clippers will be looking into signing a couple athletic wing (shooting guard or small forward) players. Redick was good for what his talents provided him to do which is come off screens and catch and shoot. Still, he wasn't explosive enough and couldn't create his own shot. So it wouldn’t be a shock if JJ signed elsewhere and go after an athletic wing like let's say Jonathan Simmons. He will be a highly coveted player since he balled out in the playoffs for the San Antonio Spurs. Simmons will be asking for a big paychecks though and don't know if the Clippers will have enough under the cap to offer him what he wants. Another wing they should be looking into is Tony Snell. He is a long athlete who can shoot the three pointer and play defense. He had a breakout year this past season with the Milwaukee Bucks. He is also a local California kid so he might want to come back home.