NBA SIMS LEAGUE
TBT: Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have less than an afterthought in the NSL so far. Best known for trading away Giannis, and looking like a rudderless ship for a while there, it appears the Clippers time has arrived. We have all been proven wrong (when I say all, I mean me), as this build has forged a roster that is bursting with young talent and fit and I am ‘all in’.
Highlight: A Star is Born (twice)
The Clippers may have the best young duo of stars in the league in Paolo Banchero and Jalen Williams. No other team boasts two 22-23 year olds who are rated 90 and play such complementary roles to support one another. Both players ascended during the 24-25 season, particularly Williams.
LAC’s favourite son, Paolo Banchero, plays as a strong, skilled forward who can score in a variety of ways. He combines size, power, and finesse, making him effective both in the post and on the perimeter. Paolo’s size means he can consistently pull down 9-10 rebounds. Perhaps he plays too much ‘hero iso’ ball, but there is little doubt that he can be the #1 scoring option on a really good team. Banchero can handle the ball, create his own shot, and finish through contact. He is also an adept passer, routinely chalking up 5-6 assists a game as a playmaker. While not known as a defender, his 2k physicality and athletic traits likely contribute to positive impacts on defense.
Jalen Williams is a smooth and versatile wing who has a huge impact on both ends of the court. He combines strong scoring. shooting and playmaking ability with impressive defense, making him a burgeoning two-way star of the league. Offensively, he stands out with a polished mid-range game and consistent three-point shooting, while also having the ball-handling and vision to create plays for himself or others. Without the ball, Williams uses his length, quickness, and awareness to guard multiple positions effectively on the perimeter. While he’s not a dominant rebounder or interior scorer, he ticks enough ‘really good’ boxes for William’s trajectory to be one of a star player.
Seeing these two players realise their potential is easily the highlight for Clippers’ fans during a season with a shit-tonne of losses.
Lowlight:
See ‘shit-tonne of losses’.
As I subtly alluded to, the Clippers did not win many games last season. Does that bother Andrew? I don’t think so. So maybe it’s only a lowlight to the fans, or those who think the team could have been better.
2 cents: I think this will be the last time for a while that the Clippers have a losing season.
Best trade(s):
Andrew didn’t make many trades this past year. However, the few that he did make were beneficial for the team (and I can’t even include the Hartenstein heist from the off-season).
The Golden State Warriors send John Collins to the LA Clippers. The Houston Rockets send Keyonte George to the LA Clippers. The LA Clippers send Jordan Poole to the Golden State Warriors. The LA Clippers send Noah Clowney to the Houston Rockets.
The LA Clippers send a 2nd-Rounder (LAC) to the Golden State Warriors. The LA Clippers send a 2nd-Rounder (Sac) to the Houston Rockets.
This was a terrific, terrific turn of events for the Clippers - their best trade of the year. Keyonte George is now the starting PG for the NBA Jazz, and has just received a big 2k ratings boost. Clowney, has gone the other way, mired in a terrible NBA Brooklyn that has too many players for him to have a big role. In addition to that, Collins is still a really good 2k big, whereas I still think Poole is a volatile 2k asset, prone to ‘blackholing’.
The Cleveland Cavaliers send Russell Westbrook to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Cleveland Cavaliers send Jose Alvarado to the San Antonio Spurs. The LA Clippers send Bennedict Mathurin to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The San Antonio Spurs send Ulrich Chomche to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cleveland Cavaliers send a 1st-Rounder (NO) and 1st-Rounder (Det) to the LA Clippers. The Portland Trail Blazers send a 2nd-Rounder (Cha) and 2nd-Rounder (Cle) to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The San Antonio Spurs send a 2nd-Rounder (SA) to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Mathurin for two decent firsts - I think that’s fine any day of the week. Mathurin will be paid next off-season, and would be on the bench for the Clippers behind Williams.
Worst trade:
The LA Clippers send Oso Ighodaro to the San Antonio Spurs.
The San Antonio Spurs send a 2nd-Rounder (Min) to the LA Clippers.
Nelso and the Spurs know how to get value off the Clippers at every turn. While only a small deal, Oso looks to be a prototypical 2k big and was traded from a team that needed a big.
Free Agency:
The Clippers have nothing to worry about. Andrew’s zen-like patience and astute drafting means this (almost) entire team is either securely controlled on a rookie deal or have signed a rookie extension.
Star(s): Paolo Banchero & Jalen Williams
I gave these two their flowers earlier in the piece. I am so envious of the youth and star power this ensemble has, and these two are the lead singers.
Projected starting lineup:
PG: Wallace / George
SG: Williams / Edgecomb
SF: Murphy III / Holland
PF: Banchero / Murray
C: Hartenstein / Collins
Holy moly, this team is cooking up something! Dynasty-draft rankings, the Clippers would be right near the top.
Future outlook:
Bright, unknown, fun and exciting. It’s no secret - the Clippers have been a poor basketball team from the get go. Now, they have a basketball armoury that can take them through playoff series. Hartenstein addition was an absolute 'winners move', and he will glue the whole team together and let them shine.
The time is absolutely now for the Clippers, and for Andrew to step proudly into a new era of his GM reign, and a wonderful time for diehard, hungry Clippers fans.