Clippers Roster 2019: 5 Most Important Players For LA After Kawhi Leonard Signing, Paul George Trade

The Los Angeles Clippers were probably the biggest winners of the craziest offseason in NBA history. The franchise signed Kawhi Leonard and traded for Paul George, adding two top-10 players after a 48-win season.

Six of the Clippers’ top-eight scorers from the postseason are back with the team. In the immediate aftermath of their league-altering moves, L.A. was named the betting favorites to win the 2020 NBA Finals, putting them ahead of LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers might have more star power at the top of the roster, but the Clippers have as much depth as anyone, giving them a real chance to compete for their first-ever championship.

Here’s a look at the five most important players on the 2019-2020 Clippers’ roster:

1) Kawhi Leonard

Leonard clearly tops this list, having supplanted LeBron James as the best player in basketball. After leading the Toronto Raptors to their first title without another superstar on the roster, Leonard heads to Los Angeles still very much in his prime. The 2019 NBA Finals MVP proved in the playoffs that he remains a monster on the defensive end. His offensive game gets better each year, which is a scary thought for the rest of the league.

2) Paul George

If George can perform like he did last season, he might give the Clippers the NBA’s best duo. That’s a big “if” considering George had a career-year and is coming off two shoulder surgeries. The veteran was phenomenal for much of the year with the Oklahoma City Thunder, finishing third in the MVP voting. He might be asked to be the Clippers’ go-to scorer on many nights in the regular season as Leonard continues to use “load management” to stay fresh for the playoffs.

3) Lou Williams

The reigning Sixth Man of the Year might be one of the league’s most underrated players since he comes off the bench. Williams might as well be a starter, playing in crunch time while controlling much of the offense. The veteran averaged 20.0 points in just 26.6 minutes per game last season, wrecking opposing second units. Even with the addition of two All-Stars, his ability to facilitate the offense will be key for L.A. with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander no longer on the roster.

4) Montrezl Harrell

The Williams-Harrell pick and roll was key in Los Angeles pushing the Golden State Warriors to six games in the first round of their playoff series. One of the best finishers at the rim last season, Harrell should receive plenty of dunk opportunities with the likes of Leonard and George now on the team. His defense will also be highlighted, considering the Clippers don’t have an established true center and Anthony Davis now plays for arguably their biggest competition in the West.

5) Patrick Beverley

As one of the best role players in free agency, Beverley left $10 million on the table to return to L.A. With his ability to shoot 40 percent from three-point range and defend point guards better than most, Beverley is exactly the type of winning player that you want on a team with multiple MVP candidates.