Los Angeles Clippers Blog – NBA Blog

Lakers beat Pacers in 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament championship game

OC Register: Lakers coach Darvin Ham said ahead of Saturday’s In-Season Tournament championship game between his team and the Indiana Pacers that he didn’t want to reveal too much of their strategy. But the way the Lakers attacked the Pacers’ defense said everything that needed to be known about their gameplan: constantly attack the paint against an Indiana team that allows points in the paint at a league-worst rate (62.5 points per game).

OC Register: And the strategy worked, with the Lakers beating the Pacers 123-109 at T-Mobile Arena to win the inaugural Tournament and NBA Cup – and roughly $7.75 million spread throughout the Lakers roster and additional monetary compensation for the coaching staff. The Lakers attacked the heart of the Pacers’ defense repeatedly, scoring 86 points in the paint – more than they have in any other game this season – to make up for their lack of perimeter shooting (2 of 13 on 3-pointers).

ESPN.com: The Los Angeles Lakers are tied with the Boston Celtics for the most championships in NBA history. But after Saturday night, they are the only team in NBA history to have won the NBA Cup. Behind a masterful performance from Anthony Davis, who had 41 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks, the Lakers won the inaugural in-season tournament with a 123-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night. LeBron James, who added 24 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists, was named tournament MVP.

ESPN.com: The NBA Cup may be new, but the lesson it taught was as old as the league itself. To win anything of value, and the in-season tournament seems to have quickly established itself as such an event, you’re going to need superstars. In a way, that future Hall of Famers and champions LeBron James and Anthony Davis’ brilliant play proved to be the deciding factor in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 123-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers to claim the first-ever edition of the event verified its consequence. Playing on a neutral floor in December in a single game, it was hard to truly compare Saturday night it to any sort of playoff setting. But one thing was for certain, it was treated like an elimination game. There were aggressive game plans, heavy minutes and intensity. Situations where James has thrived for a long time.

Clippers sign Daniel Theis

The LA Clippers have signed center Daniel Theis, announced Lawrence Frank, Clippers president of basketball operations.

Theis, 31, has appeared in 314 games with the Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets and Chicago Bulls, averaging 7.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 54.2% from the field. The 6-foot-8 center has also appeared in 40 playoff games, averaging 5.8 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 52.7% from the field. A native of Salzgitter, Germany, Theis won a gold medal with Germany at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where he averaged 10.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists in eight games.

Clippers reportedly may bring Russell Westbrook off the bench

Per ESPN.com:

The LA Clippers are expected to make a lineup change with Russell Westbrook coming off the bench to help the team snap a six-game losing streak against the Houston Rockets on Friday, sources confirmed to ESPN.

The Clippers (3-7) have lost six straight games, the last five with James Harden in the lineup. Versatile guard Terance Mann is expected to move into the starting lineup with Westbrook serving as sixth man for the first time in his Clippers tenure. Sources confirmed Westbrook talked to the Clippers coaching staff on Thursday about coming off the bench, a move that was first reported by Bleacher Report. Head coach Ty Lue will meet with reporters later during his pregame news conference on Friday night.

The team has been out of sync since Harden was acquired late at night on Oct. 30. Lue had started Westbrook, Harden, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac and then staggered his four stars by pairing former Oklahoma City Thunder teammates Westbrook and George together with a second unit and Harden and Leonard together.

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Clippers trade Filip Petrusev to Kings for Luka Mitrovic

The Sacramento Kings have acquired forward Filip Petrušev and cash considerations in a trade with the L.A. Clippers for the draft rights to forward Luka Mitrović.

Drafted in the second round (20th pick, 50th overall) by the Philadelphia 76ers, Petrušev played two seasons for the Gonzaga Bulldogs from 2018-20, averaging 12.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. The Serbian native then spent three seasons in Europe, averaging 12.8 points, 1.1 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game.

Sixers will reportedly trade James Harden to Clippers

Per the LA Times:

As teams with NBA title ambitions in Milwaukee and Boston fortified their rosters in recent weeks and days, the Clippers arrived at training camp with a roster virtually unchanged from the end of last season.

That began to change late Monday, when after months of discussions with Philadelphia, the Clippers and 76ers began to move toward finalizing a trade that would see All-Star guard James Harden land in Los Angeles, according to people with knowledge of the discussions not authorized to disclose them publicly.

In addition to Harden, the Clippers are receiving P.J. Tucker, a 38-year-old defensive stalwart forward and career 36% three-point shooter. The cost: Trading away Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris Sr. and Robert Covington — their trio of veteran forwards, all on expiring contracts — as well as young forward Kenyon Martin Jr., who was acquired from Houston during the offseason.

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Clippers re-sign center Mason Plumlee

The LA Clippers have re-signed center Mason Plumlee, announced Lawrence Frank, Clippers president of basketball operations.

“Mason made an immediate imprint last season with his playmaking, finishing and feel for the game,” said Frank. “He is a selfless, dependable teammate who consistently excels in his role. We’re grateful to have him back.”

Plumlee, 33, appeared in 23 games for the Clippers after a midseason acquisition from the Charlotte Hornets, averaging 7.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists. The 7-foot center set career-highs last season in total points (857), rebounds (700) and FG% (68.0).

Originally selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Plumlee has appeared in 740 games with the Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Hornets and Clippers, averaging 8.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 59.5% from the field. The Fort Wayne, Ind., native has also appeared in 65 career playoff games and was named to the 2013-14 All-Rookie First Team.

NBA trade discussions involving Paul George

Via the LA Times:

The Clippers and Knicks have had conversations about a potential trade for wing Paul George, according to people with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, talks that were initiated by New York.

Though George was an All-Star forward as recently as February, multiple league insiders this week expressed doubts about what return value the team could get for him, if the Clippers are truly motivated to deal him, and believed a top draft pick in exchange for George was not within range. Those doubts, the sources said, centered on his history of injuries and contract status.

Should the Knicks pursue Paul George?

Via the NY Post:

In the Knicks’ quest to build upon last year’s strong season, they are targeting stars to complement Jalen Brunson, and one such player they are interested in is Paul George.

The Knicks have had contact with the Clippers about the 33-year-old wing, according to multiple reports, although it is uncertain if Los Angeles is willing to move George.

The Clippers nearly acquired Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon in a three-way deal with the Celtics and Wizards before the talks fell apart on Wednesday, so they may be interested in adding and not subtracting from their roster.

Rumor: Clippers, Wizards and Celtics trade discussion

Via the LA Times:

The Clippers are deep in negotiations to make their first roster alterations ahead of the next NBA season.

By Wednesday afternoon, the team remained in discussions toward a three-team trade that, if completed, would send the expiring contract of forward Marcus Morris Sr., the former starter who had lost his rotation spot late last season, promising but little-used forward Amir Coffey and the 30th pick in Thursday’s NBA draft to Washington, and take back guard Malcolm Brogdon from Boston, according to a person briefed on the trade talks but not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

LA Clippers promote Trent Redden to GM, Mark Hughes to Senior VP / Assistant GM

The LA Clippers announced promotions within the team’s front office, with Trent Redden being named General Manager and Mark Hughes being elevated to Senior Vice President/Assistant General Manager.

“For the past six years, Trent and Mark have been trusted evaluators, dependable leaders, and for me, close confidantes. Today, we’re thrilled to reward them,” said Lawrence Frank, Clippers President of Basketball Operations. “A lot of executives have backgrounds in strategy or evaluation. Trent brings expertise and agility in both. Since he joined us, Trent has scoured the globe in search of amateur and pro talent while serving as an integral advisor on every major decision and acquisition we’ve made. He is a respected leader with strong relationships throughout the league, and we’re excited to see him in his new role.”

During Redden’s six seasons as Assistant General Manager, the Clippers have earned four postseason berths, advancing to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history in 2021. Redden spent the previous 11 years with the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning a NBA championship in 2016. After starting as an intern in Cleveland, Redden rose up the ranks, holding titles of Basketball Operations Manager, Director of College Player Personnel, Assistant General Manager and Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations.

“Mark is a pillar of our organization, with an incredible eye for talent and way with people. He is a natural leader who helps steer our departments and set our trajectory. He will work closely with Trent and take on even more managerial responsibilities.”

Hughes has spent the past six years as Assistant General Manager for the Clippers after 10 seasons with the New York Knicks, where he was a Pro Scout and Director of Player Personnel. A Michigan native, Hughes was head coach of the Grand Rapids Hoops of the CBA, as well as an assistant coach with the Orlando Magic and Sacramento Kings. Hughes played collegiately at the University of Michigan and was co-captain of the team that captured the 1989 NCAA championship. On the professional level, he played for the Detroit Pistons, in addition to overseas stints in France and Italy.