NBA: Moves that West playoff teams need to make to take a step forward

LA Clippers: Upgrade at center while keeping key players

The LA Clippers’ offseason will be mired in Kawhi Leonard rumors. The impending free agent must re-sign for the Clippers to contend for a title again, despite what media pundits might make you think.

Reggie Jackson is also a key free agent to re-sign, who averaged 17.8 points per game on 40.8 percent 3-point shooting in the NBA playoffs. However, the Clippers can only offer him 105 percent of the NBA’s non-taxpayer mid-level exception (around $10 million), because they don’t have his Bird Rights.

With the emergence of Reggie Jackson, along with Terance Mann, the Clippers’ primary need becomes center. Starting center Ivica Zubac was borderline unplayable in the first two series until coming on strong versus the Suns. After he got injured, Nicolas Batum filled in admirably at the center position, although it wasn’t enough to propel the Clippers over the top.

With a few assets to work with, the Clippers should seek an upgrade at center. Zubac is young at only 24 years old and on a relatively cheap $7 million contract. The Clippers may look to trade him for a veteran upgrade.

They could also address the need via free agency. Olympian JaVale McGee is a solid veteran with championship experience. Dwight Howard is a compelling option at backup center, also with recent title experience. Los Angeles could even target floor-spacing bigs such as Mike Muscala, or Cody Zeller in free agency.

The Clippers’ success next year will ride on whether the decisions of their own free agents, as well as key moves made this offseason. If all goes well, they might finally leave the Lakers’ shadow and have their chance in the LA spotlight.