Projecting The 2024-2025 Los Angeles Clippers Depth Chart After the Russell Westbrook Trade
The Los Angeles Clippers have nowhere to look but forward after losing guard/forward Paul George to free agency. The 213-Era experiment, while needed, reached its course as the Clippers wanted to win a title, and George wanted more money. Despite losing George, the Clippers replenished the losses of their roster with more depth and talent. They will make up for what the Clippers lost in George in great players throughout their roster. The Clippers possess a deep team that can play ten or more players a game.
The Clippers’ depth chart can be utilized as far as the third team. These lineups are not permanent as Los Angeles might not be done with trades and more additions or subtractions via free agency. This latest depth chart evaluation comes after the Clippers traded point guard Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz in return for point guard Kris Dunn on Thursday, July 18.
Projecting The 2024-2025 Los Angeles Clippers Depth Chart After The Russell Westbrook Trade
First Team
PG: James Harden
SG: Terance Mann
SF: Derrick Jones Jr.
PF: Kawhi Leonard
C: Ivica Zubac
Second Team
PG: Kris Dunn
SG: Norman Powell
SF: Amir Coffey
PF: Nicolas Batum
C: Mo Bamba
Third Team
PG: Bones Hyland
SG: Kevin Porter Jr.
SF: Jordan Miller or Kobe Brown
PF: Kobe Brown or P.J. Tucker
C: Kai Jones or Moussa Diabate
The Clippers Have Their Best Depth In Several Years
The Clippers retain four of their five starters from this past season except George at the small forward position. The Clippers already have Kawhi Leonard re-signed to a deal and point guard James Harden after George for the 76ers. Harden signed a two-year team-friendly deal to help the team rebuild more. The Clippers feel confident in their ability to potentially extend their young starters in guard Terance Mann and center Ivica Zubac to longer deals.
Los Angeles found a replacement at the three in the player that locked down George in the first round against the Dallas Mavericks, Derrick Jones Jr. The Clippers signed Jones to a three-year, $30 million deal. He is already determined to defend against the opposing team’s best player, something he is more than capable of.
Norman Powell is the stellar sixth man off the bench again, but due to his expiring contract, he has excellent trade value this season. He is one of the league's most tenacious and efficient shooters, which adds incredible value.
Amir Coffey is another offensive spark off the bench, but he could face severe pressure from Kevin Porter Jr., who has more potential as an explosive player. Porter averaged 17.2 points per game in his last three seasons before he was suspended for domestic violence. Porter might be a potential star if he becomes the player he was with the Rockets and several months of international basketball, where he averaged more than 21 points per game.
Dunn immediately becomes takes the backup point guard position left by Westbrook. Dunn is a much more efficient defender than Westbrook and is the opposite of Harden. He will be used in the defensive-first lineup for the Clippers. Dunn is also five-and-a-half years younger than Westbrook.
The Clippers continue to get younger with the addition of Mo Bamba as the backup center. At 7-0, Bamba has never lived up to the potential as a former first-round pick for the Orlando Magic in the 2018 NBA Draft. There aren’t many expectations for Bamba for the Clippers, but as long as he plays aggressively on both sides of the court and rebounds, he will be fine.
The Clippers are rounding out the second unit and getting Nicolas Batum back on their roster. He is the first legitimate power forward to potentially for the team night-in and night-out. Batum was traded to the 76ers earlier last season in a package for the Clippers to get Harden. Clipper Nation is more than happy to have him back as he is a fan favorite.
The players currently on the third unit have the potential to develop into great role players or starters in the future. Bones Hyland will likely be traded with the new addition of Dunn on the roster. P.J. Tucker is another player with an expiring contract and will likely be traded. Porter has the most potential to be a star sooner or later.
Jordan Miller and Kobe Brown are players drafted by the Clippers in the 2023 NBA Draft. They have the youth and talent to develop as the future of the team. Miller is having a stellar summer league experience right now with the Clippers. He is averaging 26.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Brown played 44 regular season games for the Clippers last season and has a chance to replicate that same input.
Finally, Kia Jones and Moussa Diabete are likely going to contend for the third center position. Jones has more potential to be a contributor, but Diabate has the experience with the Clippers.
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