The Los Angeles Clippers are in desperate need of any help they can get right now, as they’ve started the season 2-8.

They weren’t predicted to be one of the better teams in the West after failing to make the playoffs last season and then trading Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors in the offseason, but there was hope that a young squad could surprise teams with a competitive spirit and strong coaching.

Leonard was traded for Brandon Ingram, who has yet to make his Clippers debut, and seeing him on the sidelines has not helped their ability to win games.

In late October, it was revealed that Ingram had a partially torn Achilles and would not be ready to start the season. Ingram is participating in full-contact basketball activities and went to the San Diego Clippers on a G League assignment, showing that he’s close to an NBA return.

Once he gets back on the floor, he will immediately be inserted into the Clippers starting lineup.

The Clippers have started Darius Garland, Derrick Jones Jr., Rui Hachimura, Brook Lopez, and Kris Dunn this season.

When Ingram returns, he will likely take the place of Jones Jr. in the starting lineup, giving the Clippers extra offense and a true scorer and creator next to Garland. Garland has struggled this season with turnovers, but Ingram’s return will take pressure off of him to be the lead creator.

Ingram’s return could also make way for Max Strus to start in place of Kris Dunn. Strus looked to be on track to start until he suffered an injury in the first preseason game. Strus is a connector on both ends of the floor, and the Clippers may feel Dunn is better suited coming off the bench to help take pressure off of rookie Keaton Wagler since Ingram would be alongside Garland.

The ideal starting lineup would be Garland, Strus, Ingram, Hachimura, and Lopez

Ingram’s return will open things up on the bench, with Dunn and Jones Jr. playing more secondary roles instead of their current designations. Those two would open things up for Wagler and Kobe Sanders on both ends of the floor, especially defensively.

Gradey Dick, Isaiah Jackson, and Baba Miller would continue to see playing time as well, giving the Clippers the ability to run 11-12 deep on some nights.

The top-end talent might not overwhelm teams, but the depth would be there, and Ingram would slot everyone into a more suitable role.