via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 20: L.A. Clippers Forward Kawhi Leonard celebrates donation of One Million backpacks from Baby2Baby, Kawhi Leonard and the L.A. Clippers to students across Los Angeles at 107th Street Elementary on August 20, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Baby2Baby)
via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 20: L.A. Clippers Forward Kawhi Leonard celebrates donation of One Million backpacks from Baby2Baby, Kawhi Leonard and the L.A. Clippers to students across Los Angeles at 107th Street Elementary on August 20, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Baby2Baby)
The Los Angeles Clippers were touted as the team to beat last season. However, they threw away a golden opportunity in the Playoffs by choking a 3-1 lead. Additionally, the 2020 NBA Free Agency has not been kind to the franchise either.
Before the Free Agency kicked off, they were linked to a number of players to join the team. Yet, in essence, their team is not much better off compared to that from last season.
They were expected to be the desired location for veteran point guard Rajon Rondo. Rondo had a terrific year with the Lakers and helped them lift the NBA trophy last season. Moreover, adding Rondo could have solved their playmaking struggles, which was exposed in the Playoffs.
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Free agent guard Rajon Rondo has agreed to a two-year, $15M contract with the Atlanta Hawks, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 21, 2020
Rondo did leave the Lakers, but it was for the Hawks, where he signed a two-year $15 million contract. Adding to that, they lost the 2020 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell to their neighbors in Los Angeles.
Harrell provided them the much needed push from the bench. The only good news for the Clippers has been the signing of former Raptors forward Serge Ibaka. However, Ibaka has signed on a two-year deal with a 2021 player option.
If they fail to achieve anything major this year, it could lead them to a pretty bumpy road down the line. Not only Ibaka, their two superstars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard can opt out of their respective player options as well next year.
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Will the Los Angeles Clippers have a redemption season?
via Imago
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Paul George enters at the 67th NBA All-Star Game: Team LeBron Vs. Team Stephen at Staples Center on February 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
The 2020-21 NBA season is quite important for the Clippers’ future. They are in a win-now situation, and if they don’t win it all this season, it could mean going into rebuild mode.
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However, they are not in a good position to rebuild as they gave away most of their picks in order to acquire George last offseason. Things are not looking good for the franchise as of now, but they might change their fortune in the coming days.
As they might be able to pull off some trades to bolster their roster. But as things stand right now, the Clippers are definitely one of the biggest losers of this free agency.
