Los Angeles Clippers: How good would the Clippers be with Kawhi Leonard?
Even if the Los Angeles Clippers sign Kawhi Leonard this summer, it’s not a foregone conclusion they will be a contender in the Western Conference
As every NBA fan knows, the Los Angeles Clippers will have enough cap space this offseason to sign two max contract players to long-term deals. And one of the players that they are reportedly targeting is Kawhi Leonard.
During the playoffs, we saw how dangerous this team could be WITHOUT a big-name free agent signing. They took the Golden State Warriors to six games and proved to be a tough out. Despite an up-and-down regular season, they managed to pull off 48 wins without an all-star.
Kawhi Leonard signing long-term contracts with Clippers would undoubtedly shakeup the NBA.
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So, how good would the Los Angeles Clippers be next season with Kawhi Leonard?
A starting lineup of Kawhi Leonard, Patrick Beverley, Danilo Gallinari, and Ivica Zubac would be one of the best lineups in the NBA. Additionally, a bench that includes Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell it seems would make the Clippers instant NBA title contenders.
However, considering the competition in the NBA right now, this roster might not good enough to win a championship. Or even to win the Western Conference.
Let’s examine their competition.
First, you have the Los Angeles Lakers who have LeBron James and now Anthony Davis. The Lakers are clearly more top heavy than the Clippers, even if they were to sign Kawhi. Plus, the Lakers could be in the market for another big name this summer, with names like Jimmy Butler, Kemba Walker, and Kyrie Irving all linked to them over the last week.
Moving on to the Houston Rockets, who will still have a better backcourt than the Clippers with Chris Paul and James Harden (likely) returning next season. Plus, Daryl Morey will likely try to improve the rest of the roster this summer too.
What about the Eastern Conference?
If Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris leave the Philadelphia 76ers, it could mean that this team takes a bit of a step back next season. However, if Joel Embiid can stay healthy and Ben Simmons can improve offensively, the 76ers may end up being the best team in basketball.
And lets not forget about up-and-coming teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Brooklyn Nets.
Dallas added Kristaps Porzingis this past season and has cap space to add another big-time player. Don’t forget that Luka Doncic is one of the most dynamic young players in the league. Brooklyn has space to sign two max players, and could already have Kyrie Irving in their back pocket.
And you can’t forget about the Boston Celtics who still have one of the most talented players in the league in Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, and Al Horford still on the roster.
While the Clippers made it into the playoffs this season, you can make the case that if the Anthony Davis trade debacle had not taken place the New Orleans Pelicans or the Lakers would have likely made the playoffs instead of the Clippers.
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Even with signing Kawhi Leonard this summer, the Los Angeles Clippers will still need a few other additions to cement themselves as a true championship contender. And depending on the moves other teams make in the offseason, the Clippers could struggle to even to make a deep run in the playoffs next season.