The Los Angeles Clippers have reshaped their roster around Darius Garland this summer, but the frontcourt remains dangerously thin heading into a loaded Western Conference.
Darius Garland's midseason arrival from Cleveland gave the Los Angeles Clippers a playmaker they had been missing for years, and his early returns in 19 games showed exactly what a full season with him running the offense might look like.
Adding Rui Hachimura on a two-year deal in free agency filled the gap at forward that opened when John Collins left, and first-round pick Keaton Wagler has flashed shooting range during summer league.
The perimeter, for once, looks deep enough to compete in the West.
The frontcourt is a different story entirely.
Ivica Zubac's trade to Indiana at the deadline stripped the roster of its most dependable rebounder and rim protector, and the front office has not replaced him with anything close to a long-term answer at center.
The Perimeter Has Depth to Spare
Garland posted 19.9 points and 6.4 assists per game during his 19-game stint, shooting 47.1 percent from the floor and 43.8 percent from three.
Hachimura shot a career-best 44.3 percent from deep with the Lakers last season, giving the Clippers the perimeter spacing they needed after a 42-40 campaign that ended without a playoff berth.
The backcourt rotation of Garland, Kris Dunn, and Cam Christie gives Lawrence Frank plenty of lineup flexibility going forward, and Derrick Jones Jr. adds defensive length on the wing.
Summer league has also produced encouraging signs from Wagler and the rest of the newcomers.
The Center Position Needs an Answer
The agreed-upon trade sending Kawhi Leonard to Toronto remains pending while the NBA completes its investigation of the Aspiration ownership sale, but the roster has already been rebuilt with the expectation that his 27.9 points per game will not be coming back.
Leonard also averaged 6.4 rebounds and shot 50.5 percent from the floor over 65 games last season, production the franchise simply cannot replicate through free agency alone.
The trade package would bring back Gradey Dick, Brandon Ingram, and two unprotected first-round picks, giving the front office young talent and future assets to work with.
What it would not give them is a center.
Brook Lopez picked up his player option and will return, but he turns 39 in April and averaged 8.5 points and 3.6 rebounds across 75 games last season.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser is still far away from a full recovery from his Lisfranc injury suffered in March as well.
Isaiah Jackson is the only other true center under contract, and neither player profiles as someone who can anchor a defense through a full Western Conference schedule.
The Trade Market May Be the Only Path
Six roster spots remain open, and how the front office fills them will determine whether this offseason can truly be considered a success.
Finding a rim protector who can rebound and switch on the perimeter might require moving one of those future draft picks, but the alternative is heading into training camp with Lopez as the starting five and hoping his body holds together through 82 games.
The Clippers have spent July building from the backcourt forward, and the early returns look promising enough to suggest the rebuild is on track.
The job is not finished until they solve the middle of the floor, and with the Garland era taking shape, the front office cannot afford to wait much longer.
