Clippers eager to see how reshuffled roster plays

LOS ANGELES » The Clippers' need for a true point guard apparently isn't as crucial as it once seemed now that the trade deadline came and went.

Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, in speaking with reporters before Friday's game, said the organization is content to “see what this looks like, see how it fits.”

“This” is the new-look Clippers after the team acquired guards veteran Eric Gordon, Bones Hyland and center Mason Plumlee on Thursday and shipped out guards Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard and John Wall.

Frank said the team will continue to monitor the buyout market, which could include former Lakers Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley, but for the time being “we would like to marinate a bit” on what they have in their locker room.

Plus, any guard would have to understand the ballhandling hierarchy — one reason why the Clippers are not in any hurry to find a player who wants to bring the ball up the court.

“PG and Kawhi handle the ball 60% of the time so it would have to be a delicate balance,” Frank said.

In acquiring those three players, Frank said the Clippers checked off five needs that they had identified. He said they enhanced their playoff rotation, consolidated their guards, addressed positional needs and added youth to a heavy veteran squad and flexibility.

Frank said each of the three new faces add qualities that could push the team toward a successful postseason run. He said Gordon, who started his 12-year career with the Clippers, will “fit in seamlessly” and at 6-foot-11 Plumlee gives the Clippers another “playmaker at that size.”

Frank, however, couldn't contain his enthusiasm over getting Hyland, an energetic second-year player who was the 26th overall pick by the Nuggets in the 2021 draft. “We kind of fell in love with

Bones at the draft,” Frank said, pointing out how he will push the pace on the floor.

Hyland is averaging 12.1 points and 3 assists while shooting 37.8% from 3-point range.

Lue ready to blend new pieces

One of coach Tyronn Lue's trade-day wishes was to find a traditional point guard, something the Clippers did not get Thursday.

“It is what it is and so it's my job to make sure I put it together the right way. What works,” he said. “It didn't happen and that's no excuse. So now we just got to make sure we put it together the right way and that's on me. We're going to get that done.”

Lue heaped praise on the three players the Clippers did acquire and those who are gone. He said Kennard was one of his favorites, “just a guy I loved,” and Wall didn't really get a chance to show his skills because he didn't often get the chance to play with a true center.

And Jackson, he said, was remarkable in the way he adjusted this season, going from not starting to being out of the rotation and then working his way back onto the court with the second unit. Lue also said that without Jackson's inspired play during the 2021 playoffs (especially after Leonard was hurt), they would not have reached the Western Conference finals.

“He was big in that,” Lue said.

Lue then turned to the new players, commending Gordon's ability to handle the ball and guard multiple players, Plumlee's passing and rim protection and Hyland's energetic style of play. It remains to be seen how the new pieces fit with Leonard and George.

“My job is to put this team together,” Lue said. “It's going to take some time just to figure out rotations, who's going to start, who plays well with who and what these guys bring to our team.

“I'm excited for that, but it's going to take a little time.”