Analysis: Two years after the Lakers and Clippers failed to put a single a player into the All-Star game, they now have four of the top two-way players in the NBA, writes DanWoikeSports.
By dealing Blake Griffin to Detroit in January of last year, they began moving down this path, collecting young players and draft picks while still playing winning basketball. In Steve Ballmer, they had an owner willing to do what it takes to win paired with a championship-level coach in Doc Rivers and one of the most robust front offices in the league.
Play it out long term with the young guys? It was a good option — but never the best one. The best plan to win big immediately involved getting a star, and then getting another one.The second the Clippers realized how good a chance they had at getting Leonard — whenever that was — players like Gilgeous-Alexander and assets like first-round picks became expendable.
It’s why no one will need to care about an NBA draft in Los Angeles until midway through President Suri Cruise’s first term.
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