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Los Angeles Clippers: The goal this summer is not to one-up the Lakers

By Jason Reed

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball on offense against the Golden State Warriors in the first half during Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball on offense against the Golden State Warriors in the first half during Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers may have just made a massive trade for Anthony Davis but that should not have an impact on the Los Angeles Clippers’ offseason.

There has been so much promise and speculation regarding this summer for the Los Angeles Clippers. Even before the team made a shocking playoff run during the regular season, the summer of 2019 was viewed as a summer of opportunity for the Clippers.

Free agency still does not start for another two weeks and the Clippers have enough cap space to bring in two max guys. With talented youth, established role players and future assets with a ton of value, the Clippers are in a fantastic situation this offseason.

That is why the Clippers have one of the highest title odds in the NBA despite not yet having any star power. Vegas knows that the team is primed for success and that is why Clipper fans have been so excited.

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Before free agency starts and the Clippers can get anything big done, the Los Angeles Lakers made a massive move of their own. The cross-court rivals ended all of the speculations and traded for Anthony Davis, giving the team a big three of Davis, LeBron James and Kyle Kuzma with money to spend.

Suddenly, the Lakers are the favorites to win the title and are in a significantly better situation now than they were a month ago when the entire organization looked like a circus. As a Clipper fan, there probably is natural sour feelings about the Davis trade; it comes with every fandom, it is completely normal.

Because of that rivalry and the Lakers’ tendency to always steal the spotlight, a lot of Clipper fans are probably hoping that the Clippers one-up the Lakers, proving they are still the team of the future in LA.

While every fan should be rooting for the best possible offseason, the focus should not be on the Lakers. Trying to compare the Clippers to the Lakers is not healthy and is only going to lead to disappointment this summer.

Yes, they are the Clippers’ rivals and yes, the two teams have to go through each other to get to the NBA Finals. But keeping a constant measuring stick next to the Clippers is going to set unrealistic expectations. The Clippers are their own team and they are going to do business their own way.

So even if the Clippers don’t get two stars, like the Lakers currently have, Clipper fans should not panic. Jerry West and company certainly know what they are doing and even if it does not grab headlines like the Davis trade, it will be the right moves.

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Of course, the biggest goal is still getting Kawhi Leonard. As long as that happens, this summer is a win and the Los Angeles Clippers will definitely be capable of beating the Lakers, even if the summer is not as glamorous outside of Leonard.

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