Robert Mayer – USA TODAY Sports
Even with poor depth and an injury to their star point guard Chris Paul, the Los Angeles Clippers should have made it to the Western Conference Finals. They had plenty of chances to put away the Houston Rockets, but could not get the baskets when they needed them the most. Now, it is unclear if their core will remain intact. There are questions about whether this team can get over the hump with its current stars, DeAndre Jordan will be a free-agent, and the team does not have enough money to greatly improve the roster this offseason. The organization needed to take a gamble, and while Lance Stephenson is a huge risk, it is a move that can pay off in the future.
Stephenson had an awful year last season and did not fit in with new team. His shooting was horrendous, he struggled to play off the ball, and genuinely looked disinterested on the court. It is hard to pinpoint exactly what went wrong, but surely going to a team with a little more structure will help. Coach Doc Rivers has dealt with troublesome players before, and while Paul can be a fiery leader, he is also one who makes those around him better. Stephenson has proved before that when he is focused mentally, he can be a contributor on a contending team. The Clippers can still be one of the top teams next year, and Stephenson will want to prove that he can still play.
The Clippers needed an upgrade on the wing, as well as another playmaker for when Paul goes to the bench. If Stephenson is able to shoot a decent percentage, then he would fit in nicely with the starters, but it is more likely that he will come off of the bench to give the team more depth. He can be a tough defender who will do anything to get in the head of his opponents, and he is willing to take the challenge. The team will need him in the playoffs against some very good offensive players in the conference.
The Clippers were also able to get rid of Spencer Hawes’ contract, as he provided very little to the team when it mattered most. Although they want to win now, it doesn’t hurt that Stephenson has a team option after this season, so the Clippers can simply move on if it does not work out. Matt Barnes and Hawes were important veterans in the locker room, but Barnes was very inconsistent in the playoffs and Hawes was a non-factor.
The organization knows that they are taking a huge gamble on Stephenson, but they needed to do something to improve their roster. They still do not have much cap space, and now must focus on bringing back Jordan and finding players to sign to inexpensive deals. There are several veterans who will want to play for a contender, as well as other younger players who may be looking for a one year deal before the salary cap rises. The Clippers must find ways to add pieces to their roster so that they have depth that they can rely on in the playoffs.
