The center position has been a big concern for the Los Angeles Clippers. However, that may soon be resolved if any of their targets come to fruition. It appears the Clips have their eyes set on Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, and Dewayne Dedmon.
Right now, the job of manning the paint has been left to Montrezl Harrell. Although that has been holding out, it remains that head coach Doc Rivers needs a slot man with the proper height. Harrell stands only 6-foot-7. Ivan Zubac is another option for the Clips, although he may not be enough to boost the Clippers NBA playoff aspirations.
And it appears that is what the Clippers are heading. According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, Los Angeles has "kicked tires" on Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dewayne Dedmon of the Sacramento Kings. But it appears their main target is Tristan Thompson since they need help in the rebounding department.
This season, Thompson has played in 48 games averaging 11.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per Basketball-Reference.com. While the numbers may not be glaring, the Canadian's offensive output would be nothing more than a bonus for Rivers. It is his rebounding that is important. Love is averaging 9.8 caroms, while Dedmon only has 4.9 rebounds per game to show this 2019-20 season. Harrell is averaging only 7.1 boards this season.
But the thing with Thompson is that he could be a short-term fix. Set to earn $18 million this season, the 28-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer. Thompson is likely to want a lucrative new deal by then. It remains to be seen if the Clippers have enough in team salary to offer the 6-foot-9 cager.
As for Harrell, there are murmurs that he could be moved. Like Thompson, he too is set to hit free agency in the offseason. He will earn just $6 million this season, and the Sixth Man of the Year candidate is likely to expect a much-bigger paycheck in the summer.
The Clippers are currently running second to the Los Angeles Lakers with a 35-15 win-loss card in the NBA Western Conference. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard remain their most important aces, but the need to provide a reliable supporting cast is a must. Thompson, Love, or even Dedmon could be that missing piece. But from the three, there is no question that fourth overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft looms as the most sensible choice.
