On the basketball court, for a team to make great progress and success, it must have a balanced strength on both offensive and defensive ends. However, the problem that the Los Angeles Clippers have faced recently is the weakness of the interior defense. Although they have the Big Four of Harden, Westbrook, George and Leonard, they must confront and address their interior shortcomings if they are to compete for a championship.
Since Zubac's injury, the Clippers' interior defense has been a concern. Although they have a lot of firepower on the outside, the holes on the inside become the focus of the opponent's attack. In the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Mobley and Jarratt Allen were in the paint area like no one, easily scoring high points, and brought a lot of impact to the Clippers. It also exposes the Clippers' problems with interior defense, which will struggle to go far in the playoffs if left unaddressed.
To make up for the shortcomings on the inside, Clippers management needs to take action. First, they need to consider bringing in a big man who can guard the basket. Such a player must not only have excellent defensive ability, but also be able to contribute to the team on the offensive end. Of course, such players are not easy to find, but the Clippers, as one of the least bad teams in the league, have enough capital to attract the right players to join.
In addition to recruitment, the Clippers also need to evaluate the value of the players on the team. As the team's most important interior player at this stage, Zubac's contract extension has become the focus of attention. Although he has performed well this season, contributing an average of 124 points 97 rebounds 13 assists, shooting 65% from the field, but the big contract he asked for was a certain gap from the team's expectations. In such a situation, the Clippers need to consider whether to re-sign Zubac early or use it as a trade chip.
Clippers owner Ballmer is not short of ambition, and he wants to help the team compete for a championship by bringing in a top-20 superstar in the league. Although Durant's name is mentioned, such a trading operation is extremely difficult and can only be said to be theoretically possible. A more practical option for the Clippers is to strengthen their interior strength and improve the team's interior defense and offensive ability under the basket through reinforcements and internal digging.
In addition, the Clippers will need to keep an eye on what other teams are doing. For example, the Pelicans chose not to renew Valanciunas' contract and instead sent him away. Such an operation may provide some inspiration for the Clippers. If the Clippers can find the right players to strengthen their interior strength, then they will be more likely to compete for a championship with the Big Four.
At the same time, the Clippers also need to consider the needs of individual players. For young players like Zubac, they are hungry for more appearances and performances to advance their careers. If the Clippers are unable to meet the development needs of these players, then they could be at risk of losing players.