The Clippers lock in two defensive players! The offseason reinforcement plan is exposed, and veterans become the key puzzle for the championship

On June 10, according to Bretts reporter of the well-known US media Clutch Points, the Los Angeles Clippers, which are determined to win the championship, have a clear direction for strengthening the offseason: continue to recruit experienced veterans! In the fiercely competitive West, the Clippers management obviously believes that the wisdom of the stadium and the ability to resist stress in key battles are necessities for the team to go further. Two major goals surfaced, and the backcourt upgraded to target the defensive champion

Sigel revealed two names worth paying attention to in the report: Malcolm Brogden and Marcus Smart. According to reports, Brogdon is still the Clippers' "realistic goal". The 31-year-old point guard has been in the Trail Blazers and Wizards this season, representing the Wizards in 24 games, averaging 12.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, and shooting percentage of 43.3%. Although the organizational foundation is still there, the three-point shooting percentage (28.6%) has dropped significantly. Brogden's comprehensiveness and field control ability are the answers to the Clippers' search for reliable substitutes or partners outside of Harden.

What is even more surprising is Smart. The 30-year-old former defensive player has played in 15 games with the Grizzlies and Wizards this season due to injury, averaging 9.3 points, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game in 18.7 minutes. Although the data is inconspicuous, Smart has a strong presence on the defensive end, and his three-point shooting percentage (39.2%) is a career high. Siegel pointed out: "If the Clippers ask the Wizards for Smart, it would not be surprising." Smart's bloody and tough defense are a scarce resource on the playoff stage, although his 68.6% free throw percentage is a hidden danger. The value of veterans is highlighted, and the Clippers are determined to make up for the playoffs shortcoming

The Clippers ranked fifth in the Western Conference with 50 wins and 32 losses this season, showing good competitiveness. However, facing the defending champion Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs, they were unfortunately eliminated after seven games, revealing some shortcomings in the lineup depth and experience value in high-end games. Especially when core players rotate and deal with high-intensity defense, the team needs more veterans who can stabilize the situation and make correct decisions.

The intention of introducing players like Brogden or Smart is very clear: on the one hand, it improves the hardness and rotation depth of the backcourt defense to reduce the pressure on core players; on the other hand, it injects the team into the playoff-tested combat power and resilience, allowing the team to have more trustworthy choices at critical moments. Their experience and playoff resume are valuable assets that young players cannot quickly replace.

The championship window period, the Clippers bet on "deep" and "experience"

The current Clippers' championship window period is full of challenges. The management knows that targeted reinforcement around the existing core, especially adding veterans with rich playoff experience, is a key strategy to maximize current competitiveness. Brogden's stability and Smart's iron-blooded defense represent two different but extremely consistent with the Clippers' needs.

Sigel's report reveals the Clippers' clear offseason idea: in the fierce competition in the Western Conference arms race, the Clippers did not choose to blindly pursue superstars, but instead pragmatically turned their attention to those powerful veterans who can immediately improve the team's tough battle capabilities and enrich tactical styles. Whether the Clippers can successfully introduce their favorite goals may directly determine whether the Clippers can break through the bottleneck next season and truly touch the dawn of the O'Brien Cup.