The Los Angeles Clippers are one loss away from being knocked out of the playoffs.
This would be the second year in a row where the Clippers fell below their expectations.
From the moment this team was assembled, we looked at them as the prohibitive favorites.
Unfortunately, they might not even make the Conference Finals.
The Dallas Mavericks are up 3-2 on these Clippers, and they look defeated.
Both LA teams are on the brink of elimination from the NBA playoffs.
Lakers trail the Suns, 3-2
Clippers trail the Mavs, 3-2 pic.twitter.com/FjibloonBC— ESPN (@espn) June 3, 2021
They have become this punchline for choking in the NBA.
The pressure has looked like it is wearing this organization down.
A loss will mean one thing for the Clippers’ future.
They must make some big changes.
The goal from day one was to win titles.
However, they have struggled to compete in the playoffs.
If this season ends in a few days; expect some people to go.
Here are a few changes that could be made.
3. Trade Luke Kennard
Luke Kennard got paid a lot of money this past offseason.
The Clippers gave Luke Kennard $64 million.
He has played 0 minutes in the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/OKrslabFRh
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 26, 2021
Nobody expected him to receive such a contract.
However, the Clippers believed in him and gave him the big deal.
The postseason is here, but where is Kennard?
One of their big money guys has only played four minutes so far in their first-round series against the Mavericks.
All of this money being wasted on the bench.
The Clippers must move him in the offseason.
It is mandatory now.
He is not going to play on this team.
The Clippers need as much depth as possible.
If Kennard cannot contribute, he has to be traded soon.
2. Upgrade The Point Guard Spot
The Clippers have some holes on the roster.
Their biggest hole is the one at the point guard position.
They have a trio of Reggie Jackson, Rajon Rondo, and Patrick Beverley.
However, this trio is not cutting it for them.
Jackson is a very inefficient scorer, who is best suited for an off the bench role.
Rondo is at the tail end of his career; and is no longer a starting guard in this league.
Beverley is always hurt and can’t contribute.
His defense has taken a big step back and his offense has always been mediocre.
They need to go out and search some point guards in free agency.
The Clippers can aim for a veteran like Kyle Lowry or Goran Dragic.
They can go for a younger option, such as Lonzo Ball or Spencer Dinwiddie.
In order to finally make the next step, they must upgrade that position.
1. Trade Paul George
When the Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard, they made it a mission to acquire Paul George as well.
They accomplished that goal by offering a ton of picks.
This is who Kawhi wanted as his co-star.
However, that might all change if they lose this first-round series.
George has been the biggest recipient of jokes in the last two seasons.
Social media loves ridiculing this man for his bad performances in crucial moments.
For this series, there cannot be any jokes thrown his way.
He has been very good for most of the series.
Paul George this series:
25.0 PPG
8.5 RPG
4.5 APG
50% FG pic.twitter.com/HciXdegUk0— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) May 31, 2021
The problem is that if a big move is going to be made; it will be George going.
Leonard is the franchise man and the guy that the Clippers have pushed the most.
George probably doesn’t deserve to be shipped, but it is the most likely move that will be made.
NEXT: 3 Los Angeles Clippers Who Must Step Up In Game 3
