2030-2031 Clippers Press Conference

[MexicanMamba]

Good morning everyone! Coach Durant is busy getting our guys ready to play this upcoming season, so you are stuck only with me today. Last off-season we made an aggressive move to acquire Jaren Jackson and Joffrey Baratheon to put with our group of young guys, Colby Lopez and Michael Garvin. We really did feel like it was a move that would have us take a significant leap forward and push for a playoff spot. Unfortunately, we lost Triple J to injury in the opening minutes of game 1 and he missed a lot of time and we just were never able to fully gel as a unit. Though we did not make the playoffs, the whole season was not lost however. Garvin and Lopez continued to progress and proved why they are seen as core pieces to this team. Mr. Baratheon was once again the star player that he has been for a long time in this league. Mid-season we also made a trade to add Joe Futrell as well and he was incredibly productive for us and as can be seen by our contract extension to him, we are excited about the possibilities his continued growth can lead to for us now and in the future. We had Willie Caine come in and play admirably in Triple J’s place during his injury which led him to All-rookie honors and we cannot wait to see how he performs this season as well. The jump in the win total from the previous year was also significant, even if it did not meet our initial goals. There is also some excitement around here about the young players brought in this draft season as well that can really beef up our front line in the future. We feel like with a full season together now in the books and another off-season under their belts, and hopefully keeping the injury bug away, these guys will push us to another level and get us to that elusive playoff appearance.



If you have questions, throw them at me.

[Wombataholic]

The Clippers look like they have a solid starting 5, but little in terms of depth, especially at PG. Are there plans to acquire some backups via trade?

[MexicanMamba]

The Clippers look like they have a solid starting 5, but little in terms of depth, especially at PG. Are there plans to acquire some backups via trade?

Trade talks are constant and fluid, so it's hard to bank on that solution 100% but I can tell you that we're definitely open to discussions if others are willing to have them. I can also tell you that we most definitely did attempt to make some bigger moves in free agency that just did not pan out. We would certainly love to strengthen a few spots on our bench for a push this season though.

Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk

[digiskunk]

Teddy Blowsevelt, ESPN: As a young GM, you've shown a lot of talent. Out of all the players you currently have, which ones do you see as being "untradeable"? Also, which young players are you excited the most for?

[JNR]

GWR: Does Colby Lopez feel pressure to burn it down this season and match production for the contract he signed last year?

[MexicanMamba]

Teddy Blowsevelt, ESPN: As a young GM, you've shown a lot of talent. Out of all the players you currently have, which ones do you see as being "untradeable"? Also, which young players are you excited the most for?

The first name that pops up is Michael Garvin. He's still only 25 years old with tons of room to grow and can do great things on both sides of the ball. He will be a restricted free agent this coming off-season and we have no intention of letting him get away right as he's prepared to hit his absolute peak. Another under the radar young guy who I'm looking forward to seeing, and who has had a very nice camp, is Gillum. Just a 2nd round pick a couple years ago but he has a beautiful shot and works as hard as anyone to add to his game.

Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: What will it take for you to consider this a successful season for the Clippers?

[MexicanMamba]

GWR: Does Colby Lopez feel pressure to burn it down this season and match production for the contract he signed last year?

While we would like to see those shooting splits go back on the uptick after slightly dropping last season, that is not the only way I evaluate Colby's performance. We need to keep him healthy, for sure, but we just need him to play hard as he usually does. He isn't the primary scorer on this team, so he doesn't need to score 20+ every night but he is our best perimeter defender and he takes that role seriously. So, the pressure he has is just as someone who we need to help win games. We don't need him trying to be a hero to hit arbitrary numbers to try to prove he's earned his money. Defend, be a leader, and ball.

Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk

[digiskunk]

Teddy Blowsevelt, ESPN: As a young GM, you've shown a lot of talent. Out of all the players you currently have, which ones do you see as being "untradeable"? Also, which young players are you excited the most for?

The first name that pops up is Michael Garvin. He's still only 25 years old with tons of room to grow and can do great things on both sides of the ball. He will be a restricted free agent this coming off-season and we have no intention of letting him get away right as he's prepared to hit his absolute peak. Another under the radar young guy who I'm looking forward to seeing, and who has had a very nice camp, is Gillum. Just a 2nd round pick a couple years ago but he has a beautiful shot and works as hard as anyone to add to his game.

Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk

Teddy Blowsevelt, ESPN: Speaking of Hans Gillum, how do you plan on utilizing him this upcoming season?

[MexicanMamba]

Teddy Blowsevelt, ESPN: As a young GM, you've shown a lot of talent. Out of all the players you currently have, which ones do you see as being "untradeable"? Also, which young players are you excited the most for?

The first name that pops up is Michael Garvin. He's still only 25 years old with tons of room to grow and can do great things on both sides of the ball. He will be a restricted free agent this coming off-season and we have no intention of letting him get away right as he's prepared to hit his absolute peak. Another under the radar young guy who I'm looking forward to seeing, and who has had a very nice camp, is Gillum. Just a 2nd round pick a couple years ago but he has a beautiful shot and works as hard as anyone to add to his game.

Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk

Teddy Blowsevelt, ESPN: Speaking of Hans Gillum, how do you plan on utilizing him this upcoming season?

Gillum's size gives us some real flexibility with him. He's 6'8" so he could play 2-4 in certain situations. He's also a good leaper and has an excellent motor. We will aim to get him on the floor some with Garvin and Joffery, so they can create open shots for him because he is a great shooter from long range and the free throw line.

Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk

[false9]

Given JB’s team option going into next season and the current tax status, has there been any internal discussion about exercising the option?

[MexicanMamba]

Given JB’s team option going into next season and the current tax status, has there been any internal discussion about exercising the option?

Absolutely we've had that discussion and we've actually come to a decision on that by intimately involving Joff in those conversations. We know how important financial flexibility is and he wants long-term security, so, barring any significant developments, we will be declining that option with an eye on completing a long-term deal that would make sense for both sides down the road. It was important for us and the player to have some of those details set before the season started so that he could play free and loose.

Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk