Los Angeles Clippers next move should be bringing in a center

The Los Angeles Clippers were the talk of the NBA late Friday night as the team not only signed Kawhi Leonard but landed a second superstar as well.

Wow, did the Los Angeles Clippers hit a home run and deliver on all of the anticipation that every fan had heading into this offseason.

The team was staring at an unproductive summer if the team did not sign Kawhi Leonard. With no stars left, no great role players available and the free agent class thin next year, the Clippers could have just stayed right in the middle of the pack with no big moves.

Not only did the Clippers get Leonard but the team dropped and even bigger bombshell as it was announced that the Clippers traded Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and a lot of draft picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Paul George.

We have already seen what Leonard can do and this was great by the Clippers. Yes, it can be scary trading picks and a young prospect like SGA, but it is time for the Clippers to grab the bull by the horns and go after that title.

The best part is that the Clippers still maintained a decent amount of depth, especially after re-signing Patrick Beverley. The Beverley signing made no sense personally when it happened, but now that SGA got traded, it makes all the sense in the world.

The one area that team can improve on and what should be the main focus moving forward is at the center position. Right now, Montrezl Harrell is the only center on the roster and he fits much better as a four than a five.

The Los Angeles Clippers could also bring back Ivica Zubac, who is a restricted free agent, although that is not enough.

There are two routes the Clippers can take with a center. First, the team could use a veteran minimum contract to bring in a depth center. Someone similar to JaVale McGee, who has fit the role nicely with the Lakers and just got re-signed by the team as a result.

Veterans such as Tyson Chandler, Zaza Pachulia, Joakim Noah or even someone like Pau Gasol could provide minutes off the bench.

The other option is the mid-level exception, which points all signs towards DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins’ market is diminished and the Clippers could theoretically get him on the mid-level exception, although there should be worries about how he would clash with the rest of the team.

Cousins is obviously the much more talented option. With not much talent available on the market, the team might just have to bite the bullet and give him the mid-level exception. Unless, of course, they think that Zubac can handle the minutes with a veteran getting minimal minutes behind him.

Regardless, the Los Angeles Clippers’ front office has built a team with star power and depth, which is the perfect winning formula. Now all they have to do is add a center and the equation is complete.