Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on from the bench during the second half of an NBA preseason game against Melbourne United at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, Oct. 5, 2018. Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

Nobody upgraded their roster for the 2019-2020 NBA season quite like the Los Angeles Clippers did this summer. By signing Kawhi Leonard and trading for Paul George, L.A. became the favorite to win the 2020 NBA Finals, putting them ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Clippers were able to add the 2019 NBA Finals MVP and the third-place finisher in the 2019 regular-season MVP voting without completely dismantling a team that won 48 games last year. The Lakers, on the other hand, got rid of a large portion of their players in order to acquire Anthony Davis.

The Brooklyn Nets were probably the second-biggest winners of the offseason, but even they had to send D’Angelo Russell—the best player from their playoff team—to the Golden State Warriors in order to sign Kyrie Irving. With Kevin Durant likely to miss all of next season, Brooklyn isn’t expected to be an immediate title contender.

The Clippers did have to trade Danilo Gallinari and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Gallinari had a career-year with 19.8 points per game, though Los Angeles is bringing back their leading scorer. Lou Williams averaged 20.0 points in just 26.6 minutes per contest.

Williams won his third Sixth Man of the Year award. Montrezl Harrell was the runner-up, and he’s back as part of one of the league’s top bench units.

Patrick Beverley is expected to replace Gilgeous-Alexander as the starting point guard. Beverley signed a three-year, $40 million contract to return to the Clippers.

Landry Shamet will probably start at shooting guard, having done so for Los Angeles in the playoffs after making 45 percent of his three-pointers for the Clippers as a rookie. Ivica Zubac could start at center after agreeing to a four-year, $28 million deal.

JaMychal Green signed a new deal to return to the Clippers. Jerome Robinson will be back, as well, following his rookie season with the team.

Rodney McGruder earned a three-year, $15 million contract in free agency with Los Angeles. He put up career highs of 7.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game with the Miami Heat last season.

Moe Harkless is the Clippers’ fourth addition that didn’t play for L.A. last season. Harkless averaged 7.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game for the Portland Trail Blazers, though there’s speculation that his expiring contract could be used to improve the team even further.

The Clippers are considered to be a possible landing spot for Andre Iguodala. The Memphis Grizzlies will reportedly try to trade the 2015 NBA Finals MVP, whom they acquired as part of Golden State’s sign-and-trade for Russell.

No.27 overall pick Mfiondu Kabengele will be on the roster. The Clippers drafted Terance Mann with the No.48 pick in June’s draft.

The Clippers took the Warriors to six games in the first round of the playoffs.

RELATED STORIES
Basketball