Clippers are interested in bolstering point guard: the team's two major reinforcement targets exposed Paul is expected to return to Los Angeles

Yuwen basketball

2024-05-27 14:41Posted in Guangdong Sports Creators

On May 27, Beijing time, according to Marc Stein of the Athletic, the Clippers are facing a major problem in the offseason with roster adjustments, with Harden about to become a free agent, Willow may give up the $4 million player option in the 24-25 season, and the Clippers will target the reinforcement in the point guard, and they have locked two major goals.

Marc Stein said he has been told that the Clippers would be a potential suitor for Paul. In addition, veteran guard Lowry is also on the Clippers' list of pursuits, and the Clippers have expressed a keen interest in the two veteran players. Once the Clippers decide to do their best to negotiate a contract extension with George, they may not be 100% sure that they will keep Harden, so they will need to seek new ball-handling options to deal with the departure of Harden and Westbrook at any time, and Paul and Lowry are the best options.

Although Lawrence Frank, the president of operations of the Clippers, has said that keeping George and Harden is their top goal of the offseason after the season. However, the Clippers agreed a three-year, $150 million contract extension with Leonard in the middle of the season, and they still face significant salary space pressure. It is reported that George's asking price is not lower than Leonard, and hopes to get a multi-year contract, and the 76ers will chase George fiercely when they have more than 50 million space. This will put a lot of pressure on the Clippers, who may need to choose between George Harden.

It's nothing new for the Clippers to want a reliable point guard. Ever since they formed Leonard and George, they have been looking for a guard who can use his ball-handling ability to complement the big two. They tried to bring in Rondo in '21, but it didn't work out well. Last year, they did not hesitate to trade Harden for Harden, but Harden needs to reduce the burden of tandem and offense, and is never the best candidate for pure vacancy. As a result, they focused on strengthening their point guards this summer with Leonard at their core.

Paul played for the Clippers for six seasons starting in '11-'12 before being sent to the Rockets in the summer of '17. Paul played in 58 games for the Warriors last season as a backup point guard for most of the game, averaging 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game. However, the Clippers will have a hard time getting Paul, who has the final year of his contract with the Warriors, and the Warriors have a player option. If the Warriors convert him to a full contract by June 29, Paul will earn up to $30 million a year next season. For Paul, who is already 38 years old, it is unknown whether he is still worth the price.

Lowry, who was cut by the Heat in the middle of the season, joined his hometown team, the 76ers, and will become a full free agent in the offseason. In 23 games for the 76ers, he averaged 8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. Lowry has valuable championship experience and is a great fit to serve as a backup point guard for the team. But his shortcomings are very similar to Paul's, and the age of 38 will increase the overall average age of the Clippers, which will further amplify the shortcomings of the Clippers themselves.

The Clippers' first goal in the offseason must be to keep Harden and Westbrook, and if the two stay on the team, the arrival of Paul and Lowry is the icing on the cake. But once the Clippers can't keep their original roster, Paul and Lowry don't seem to be able to substantially solve the team's problems, and the Clippers' championship dream is still out of reach.

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