Lakers Rumors: Agents believe Clippers are better landing spot
According to an anonymous NBA agent, the Los Angeles Clippers have stuff that sets them apart from the Los Angeles Lakers when it comes to luring free agents.
The 2018-19 season did not go as planned for the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite the addition of LeBron James, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season.
While the Lakers struggles were well documented, their co-tenants in the Staples Center, the Los Angeles Clippers, had a very successful season.
Despite seemingly deciding to waive the white flag on their season leading up to the NBA Trade Deadline, when they traded Tobias Harris to the Philadelphia 76ers. Instead, the Clippers thrived and made an unexpected push to the playoffs.
Another trade that helped the Clippers playoff push was the acquisition of Ivica Zubac from the Lakers. The Lakers traded Zubac and Michael Beasley across the hallway for Mike Muscala. That trade was questioned across the basketball world and even got a laugh out of the Clippers front office.
The Clippers finished tied for seventh in the Western Conference, earning the No. 8 seed. While it resulted in a first-round matchup against the two-time reigning NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, it was an impressive season overall for the Clippers.
Given the recent production of the two Los Angeles teams, there has been a debate about which team is in a better position going forward.
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Based on recent seasons, there is no debate. The Clippers have made the postseason in seven out of the eight seasons while the Lakers have missed the playoffs for six years and counting. This offseason is an important one for both team’s futures.
Both the Clippers and Lakers have enough cap space for a max free agent. However, according to an anonymous NBA agent, via The Athletic, the Clippers have things that set them apart from the Lakers, making them the more desirable landing spot for free agents.
"“L.A. is a desired place of living—guys like to be there during the offseason. And they have stuff that sets them apart from like the Lakers: continuity, cohesiveness. They have an owner who will do whatever it takes that’s possible."
Another thing that was mentioned in the article was the blend of players the Clippers have. They have young players such as Landry Shamet and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributing already and know their roles. They would fit in nicely alongside a star, according to The Athletic piece.
However, the Lakers also have a nice core group of young guys. Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart. They have a higher ceiling than the Clippers young players, but the Lakers have a much messier situation, currently, than the Clippers.
Without a head coach or president of basketball operations in place, it will be difficult for the Lakers to recruit another star player to the team with so much uncertainty surrounding the organization.
Next. Lakers vs. Clippers: Who Has A Brighter Future?. dark
While the Lakers have the history and prestige, the Clippers are the better team, right now. That could all change if they can have a strong offseason and end up being the team to add a superstar player to their roster.