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The Los Angeles Clippers have this pesky behavior of touchdown gamers who’ve, at one time or one other, been linked to the rival Lakers. There are the 2 stars, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, who each spurned the Lakers as free brokers. The Lakers pursued each Reggie Jackson and Nicolas Batum as free brokers as soon as the acquired buyouts. Each selected the Clippers. And, after all, there’s Ivica Zubac, a literal former Laker who discovered himself in Clipperland solely via the mismanagement of Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka.
However the rejuvenation of John Wall is wanting particularly irritating to Lakers followers as a result of he fairly simply may have been sporting purple and gold on Thursday. After a complete offseason dominated by the discourse surrounding Russell Westbrook trades involving two first-round picks, it is value noting that the Lakers potentially may have dealt Westbrook final February for not more than a decide swap. Wall, already traded for Westbrook as soon as in 2020, would have been the return. Relying on the development of the commerce, the Lakers may have retained each their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks to make use of in future offers.
That clearly is not how issues performed out. Wall remained in Houston after the 2022 deadline. The Rockets purchased him out for no compensation in June. Regardless of being represented by Wealthy Paul and Klutch Sports activities, who presently have seven gamers on the Lakers roster, Wall selected the Clippers. And on Thursday, he regarded each bit his previous All-Star self. In 25 minutes off the bench, Wall scored 15 factors on 7-of-15 taking pictures from the sector. Westbrook shot 0 of 11.
Extra importantly, Wall supplied the Clippers the type of pace-pushing ground normal they’ve lacked for 3 years. The Clippers ranked 18th in fast-break factors a season in the past, they usually have been twenty sixth in Leonard’s wholesome 2020-21 season. The 16 he helped them rating on Thursday would have ranked third a season in the past. Couple that with some well timed mid-range taking pictures, and the Clippers have seemingly discovered their preferrred supporting level guard: a lightning-quick playmaker who will not actively undermine their spacing.
It is an interesting distinction to the Lakers, who may actually use a participant like that, however have much less room for luxurious than the loaded Clippers. Had they acquired Wall on the deadline final season, they’d be paying him $47 million. The Clippers are paying him $6 million as a taxpayer mid-level signing. The money issues. The cap issues extra. With James, Davis and Wall taking on virtually $130 million in payroll, they’d have the identical points in constructing a supporting solid as they did with Westbrook in place. It is also value noting that Westbrook is their solely significant matching wage. If the Lakers needed to make one other main commerce involving these two first-round picks whereas maintaining Wall and offseason addition Patrick Beverley, they’d have been restricted to simply two non-minimum salaries: Lonnie Walker IV (not tradable till Dec. 15) and Kendrick Nunn.
With out the taking pictures that payroll flexibility and a commerce involving these picks would have introduced, it is truthful to marvel how successfully Wall may have performed off James and Davis. The Clippers have limitless taking pictures, which maximizes Wall as a playmaker. The Lakers … don’t. Wall himself shot 0 for 4 from deep on Thursday, and is a profession 32.3 % shooter from lengthy vary. He isn’t fairly the spacing catastrophe Westbrook is, however he’d possible wrestle in an off-ball position subsequent to James to a lesser extent. Serving to his case is his superior catch-and-shoot historical past. He is hovered round 38 % on such appears for the reason that NBA started monitoring them in 2013.
There’s additionally the matter of danger to contemplate. Wall was fantastic on Thursday. He solely performed 25 minutes in a single recreation. That is a far easier process than beginning for 82. Wall had performed solely 72 in whole over the past 4 mixed seasons, excluding this new one. The Clippers can afford an harm to a $6 million backup. The Lakers could be sunk with $47 million on the bench. It is too early to inform how effectively Wall will maintain up over a full season, or what a distinction a seemingly enhanced position as a Laker would have on his physique.
On this case, even hindsight is not 20/20. Wall possible would have been a superb deal higher than Westbrook for the Lakers. On the very least he is by no means shot 0-of-11 from the sector. However he would’ve disadvantaged them of mid-season optionality on the commerce market, and he’d have posed related, if much less excessive, issues. If given the prospect to return to final February and alter their minds on a proposed Wall deal, the Lakers possible say no a second time.
Nonetheless, watching Wall thrive as a Clipper will invite second-guesses to that call. The Lakers may have had Wall. The Clippers are extraordinarily grateful that they do not. In Thursday’s tight 103-97 Clippers victory, which may have been the distinction.
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