OKC Thunder vs. LA Clippers, 2019-20 team preview

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OKC Thunder Team Preview: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers shares a laugh during the game(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

In the annual NBA GM survey, the front office brain trusts overwhelming tapped the LA Clippers for best overall moves this offseason (82 percent) and the prohibitive favorite to win the 2020 NBA Finals (46 percent). It’s not that surprising given the compilation of their roster.

Adding one superstar can alter a franchise but adding two and surrounding them with depth can drastically change a team’s position in the league immediately. Six days into free agency that’s precisely what the Clippers pulled off via the signing of free agent and NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and trading for Paul George.

Both players are two-way talents but their presence isn’t the only reason the Clippers have such support. Despite giving up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and an unprecedented haul of draft picks and swaps the Clippers retained much of their depth. Additionally, the club bolstered their depth with former OKC Thunder forward Patrick Patterson, Rodney McGruder, and Mo Harkless.

Other than the players who landed with the Thunder in the George trade the only players of substance who exited LA were Wilson Chandler and Garrett Temple.

Players Added:

Free Agency:

F: Kawhi Leonard
F: Patrick Patterson
G: Rodney McGruder

Trade:

F: Paul George (trade with Thunder)
F: Maurice Harkless (trade with Blazers)

Rookies:

C: Mfiondu Kabengele (No. 27, via trade from Nets)
G: Terance Mann (No. 48)

Departing Players:

Free Agents:

G: Sindarius Thornwell (waived)
G: Tyrone Wallace (waived)
G/F: Garrett Temple (signed with Nets)
F: Wilson Chandler (signed with Nets)
F: Johnathan Motley (unrestricted)
C: Angel Delgado (unrestricted)

Trade:

G: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (trade with Thunder)
F: Danilo Gallinari (trade with Thunder)

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