Los Angeles Clippers: Patrick Patterson wasn’t exactly what was needed
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Clippers added another player to the roster in Patrick Patterson, who doesn’t do much to fit the team’s true need.
The Los Angeles Clippers have one of the best playoff rotations in the entire league with the best sixth man in the NBA and defense that makes even the best scoring teams scared. However, the Clippers would definitely benefit from adding to the roster to prepare for the grind of the regular season.
The team just did that by reportedly signing Patrick Patterson, who was waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder shortly before signing with LA.
*Note: Patterson denied the reports of agreeing to a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. However, he is still a free agent and could still sign with the team.
Patterson did not have much of a role for the Thunder last season. In 13.7 minutes per game, the forward averaged 3.6 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. The best scoring season of his career saw him average 10.4 points, with his best rebounding year clocking in at 5.3 rebounds per game.
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Patterson is going to be nothing more than a depth piece that can eat some minutes, so it is hard to really critique the player he is when he is not going to have a huge role. However, that does not mean that this is the move that the team should have made.
To be fair, the Clippers can still make moves and this depth move does not prevent the team from doing other things in the future. It still would have been nice to see them address the center position.
Right now, the only true center with NBA experience that the Clippers have on the roster is Ivica Zubac. Montrezl Harrell can play center, but he is much better at the four, although adding Patterson could open the door for Harrell to spend more time at the five.
Regardless, relying on Harrell to potentially play both positions when Zubac needs rest is not the best thing to do. Johnathan Motley is in the same boat as Harrell as a natural power forward that could play center, if needed.
The same can be said with second-round pick, Mfiondu Kabengele, who could play center, but is a natural four that could struggle in dealing with NBA centers.
The team has a lot of natural power forwards that could help at center, which is pretty much what Patterson is as well. Not only that, but the Clippers’ only true center in Zubac is still relatively green and was not played much in the postseason because of it.
Who are the Clippers going to turn to in the closing minutes of a playoff game?
The answer probably is Harrell at the five with Kawhi Leonard at the four, Paul George at the three, Lou Williams at the two and Patrick Beverley at the one. However, the team would still greatly benefit from adding a natural, experienced center that can at least serve as an anchor down low off the bench.
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Luckily, the Los Angeles Clippers have plenty of time to fill that need. But if they keep adding players like Patrick Patterson, they could run into a problem come May.