The Clippers head into training camp with the usual slate of questions. How will the four new players fit into Coach Tyronn Lue’s lineup and can the oldest team in the league stay healthy? Does the team have enough talent this time to contend in the always rugged Western Conference?
All these questions and more, though, come against the backdrop of legal issues stemming from an investigation by reporter Pablo Torre, whose weekly podcasts about possible salary cap rules violations have caught the attention of the NBA office. The league office has started looking into the allegations that involve two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard receiving a “no-show” endorsement deal from a now-bankrupt company.
Here are five storylines to follow as the Clippers prepare to open training camp on Tuesday with their first preseason game set for Oct. 9 in Oceanside against the Guangzhou Loong-Lions.
CAN THE TEAM STAY LOCKED IN?
The Clippers’ motto this season of “Locked In” will be a test of their ability to avoid the headlines of wrongdoing regarding salary cap rules and focus on winning games.
Owner Steve Ballmer insists the Clippers did not attempt to circumvent any salary cap rules related to Leonard’s $28 million endorsement deal but that won’t stop the chatter. If found guilty by the league, the Clippers potentially could face a hefty fine, the loss of draft picks and have Leonard’s contract voided.
Expect the whispers to hang around as the investigation continues.
HOW OLD IS TOO OLD?
One of the Clippers’ goals after last season’s first-round playoff exit was to get younger. That didn’t happen as President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank signed 37-year-old center Brook Lopez, 40-year-old future Hall of Fame guard Chris Paul, the second-oldest player in the league, and 32-year-old guard Bradley Beal. Those certainly aren’t young legs, but all three are still playing at a high level.
Paul and Lopez were starters for the San Antonio Spurs and the Milwaukee Bucks, respectively, last season, while Beal started 38 of 58 games for the Phoenix Suns, averaging 17 points and 3.7 assists.
“It’s not that we ignore it, but the goal is to get this team as good as we possibly can get it, regardless of age,” Frank said in July. “Everyone’s entitled in terms of the judgments they want to make on the group. We’re super excited about the group.”
The three veterans join forward John Collins (28) as new faces in a locker room that already saw James Harden (36), Nicolas Batum (36) and Kawhi Leonard (34) help set an NBA record for the oldest roster in league history.
CAN THE TEAM STAY HEALTHY?
Six of their players are 30 or older and some have significant injury histories, so health is a clear concern. Unlike previous seasons, however, the Clippers appear to have a deeper roster and a talented bench that should help them withstand the grind of the regular season.
Their second unit consists of Paul, guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (currently rehabbing a torn ACL), forward Derrick Jones Jr., Lopez and Batum.
CAN BEAL MAKE THE FANS FORGET NORMAN POWELL?
The short answer is yes.
Beal gives the Clippers a true point guard, who when healthy, could be that “missing piece,” according to NBA legend Dwyane Wade.
Last season, Beal averaged 17 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for the Suns, who let the guard go in a contract buyout. Although those statistics are down from his days with the Washington Wizards, he could still make more of an impact than Powell did.
HOW WILL CHRIS PAUL 2.0 LOOK?
In a retro move, the team signed former Clippers star Paul for what is largely believed to be his last NBA season. The 20-year veteran stated that he wants to finish his decorated career with the team that defined him. The 12-time All-Star has been credited with changing the culture of the Clippers.
Yet, this wasn’t just a sentimental signing by the Clippers. Paul is still a viable player who can contribute offensively. He averaged 8.8 points, 7.4 assists and 1.3 steals for the Spurs last season and gives the Clippers another capable ball handler behind Harden.