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Los Angeles Clippers: Pau Gasol should be on the radar

By Jason Reed

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 27: Pau Gasol #16 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 27: Pau Gasol #16 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Clippers may have made the two biggest moves of the offseason but that should not stop them from making more.

The Los Angeles Clippers may not have been active in the early parts of free agency but boy did they send the biggest shockwaves throughout the NBA. Not only were the Clippers the winners of the coveted Kawhi Leonard sweepstakes but the team also found him his superstar running mate in Paul George.

Now the Clippers boast one of the best title-contending rosters in the league. The team can field a great eight-man playoff roster and have three elite defenders in Patrick Beverley, Leonard and George.

Run Montrezl Harrell out there for key defensive moments and the Clippers are far and away going to be the toughest to score against in the league.

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While the Clippers are in a great situation, they still are not the perfect team. In reality, the Clippers could still add another piece or two to help build a deep enough rotation to handle the trials and tribulations of an NBA regular season.

In particular, the Clippers need to add at the center position. Unproven Ivica Zubac is set to be the starting center with Montrezl Harrell, who is better suited to play the power forward position.

Even if Harrell spends most of his minutes at center the team is still going to need to get deeper than two people at the position.

There really isn’t much left other than depth options but the team still has a rather good option to pursue in two-time NBA Champion, Pau Gasol.

Gasol has expressed his desire to keep playing in the league after recovering from a stress fracture in his foot. With his production dipping last season. Gasol averaged just 3.9 points and 4.6 rebounds in 30 games played.

While those numbers may not seem all that promising, his year was cut short with injury and he was playing a career-low 12 minutes per game. Just two seasons ago Gasol averaged 10.1 points and eight rebounds per game while playing 23.5 minutes per game.

The Clippers do not even need Gasol to play 20 minutes next season and instead can greatly benefit from the veteran influence he will have over Zubac. Gasol can nicely fit into the rotation to 15-20 minutes per game and serve as a reliable scoring and rebounding presence off the bench.

Adding a player like Gasol instantly makes the regular-season grind a bit easier for the Clippers. Minutes suddenly would not have to be stretched and Zubac, who didn’t play much in the playoffs, can learn what it takes to be successful in the postseason under Gasol.

And if it doesn’t work out then he will just be a veteran minimum signing that does not hurt the team much.

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The Los Angeles Clippers are going to make the playoffs regardless. Taking the tiny risk of signing Pau Gasol is definitely something the front office should be inclined to do.

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