What could the starting lineup look like for the Los Angeles Clippers?
The Los Angeles Clippers enter a new era with much lower expectations now that they no longer have multiple superstars on their team.
Gone are the days of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook. Now are the days of Darius Garland and Brandon Ingram.
With the Clippers injecting more youth and unproven talent into their lineup, the starting group is no longer a foregone conclusion.
Before the start of training camp, Clippers head coach Ty Lue said that only a couple of starters were locked in and that other spots were up for grabs, and they’d be decided by position battles throughout camp and the preseason.
Did the first days of camp already reveal the starters?
Training Camp First Unit
For training camp, the Clippers have Darius Garland, Max Strus, Derrick Jones Jr., Rui Hachimura, and Isaiah Jackson as the first unit.
Brook Lopez is with the second unit, though Lue said things will change.
Darren Yamashita-Imagn ImagesLopez not being a starter might be a bit of a surprise given his veteran status and the fact that he’s one of the highest-paid players on the team, but could also be indicative of how the Clippers want to play this season.
Jackson will allow them to play faster as he’s a high-level athlete who plays above the rim. Lopez is more of a spacer and back-to-the-basket center when he gets the ball in his hands. Though Lopez has slowed in recent seasons, he remains one of the best rim protectors in the league, while Jackson is still improving in that area.
More Changes?
Darius Garland is locked into his spot as the starting point guard. Max Strus has the advantage at the two-guard due to his experience, ability to do a little bit of everything, and chemistry with Garland from their days in Cleveland.
Keaton Wagler is still an option at the shooting guard spot as they drafted him to play alongside Garland, but rolling with Strus to start the season makes more sense.
Brandon Ingram would be starting at one forward spot, but his injury, which will cause him to miss the start of the season, makes the choice of Derrick Jones Jr. and Rui Hachimura very easy, as they are the top two forwards on a team that lacks depth at that particular position.
Once Ingram returns from his injury, the Clippers will have a decision to make between Jones Jr. and Hachimura on who remains alongside him.
