LA Clippers: Can John Wall help elevate LA to the next level?

Will the acquisition of John Wall help the LA Clippers get over the hump and on to the next level in pursuit of that elusive NBA title?

After agreeing to a buyout with the Houston Rockets, John Wall is expected to sign with the LA Clippers once the NBA Free Agency window opens. Wall will join fellow perennial All-Stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George with the hopes of becoming championship contenders in the Western Conference.

This new opportunity gives Wall the chance to prove that he can still have a positive impact on a team. There are concerns considering the amount of time he has been away from the game but Wall should fit right in and be able to contribute from day one.

One thing that Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue will have to figure out is which role bests suits Wall and what’s best for the team? Will they insert him into the starting lineup or will they prefer for him to become the sixth man instead?

The Clippers made the most sense for Wall at this point in his career. Instead of signing somewhere he knows he would automatically have a spot in the starting lineup, he instead opts for the Clippers where he could be eased into a nice role (likely) off the bench.

It would make sense if Lue did decide to bring Wall off the bench considering how the roster is currently built. Right now the team looks great on paper but will have to exercise patience and see how he develops chemistry and see how he gels with Leonard and George.

This acquisition by the Clippers was a much needed one as they can use a point guard who is a solid scorer as well as a willing passer. When he’s on the floor with the other two stars, Wall will most likely become the third option and will be able to attract attention away from Leonard and George.

His ability to drive and dish should become an asset and should be able to rack plenty of assists with all of the potent shooters on the Clippers roster. Wall should also flourish due to the fact that he won’t be the focal point of the offense and set his teammates up while bringing more energy on the defensive end.

Wall also provides another ball-handler who can play with tempo which is something that the Clippers excel at doing already. However, the main concern is Wall’s health. Can he go through a whole season without suffering another major injury? Will load management be necessary?

When he was healthy, Wall was one of the most explosive guards in the NBA and due to the fact that he sat out all of last season, people tend to forget that he was elite. The addition of Wall to this roster will only make the Clippers better. LA qualified for the play-in tournament without the services of Leonard, George, and Norman Powell so the supporting cast is already in place for them to be successful.

Wall will have plenty of help and shouldn’t be under pressure to have to carry the burden of having to score 20-plus points every single game. We should see a fresh and hungry Wall as he has a chance to compete for an NBA title. Don’t know what type of numbers he will put up but his arrival in LA will come with plenty expectations.