I realize it’s difficult to reconcile this, but this team with DJ healthy is arguably the best clipper team ever. Some will say 2021, but this is the best Kawhi has ever been for us, PG was never close to being as good as Harden is, Zu is light years better than 2021, Collins is playing at a higher level than Serge did, Dunn is a wash with Pat Bev, Nico is as good as ever, Brook is a much better backup 5, and we actually have playable kids in Sanders and Miller.

So my question is, when does everyone think this many pieces will line up again in such a way that we can be truly competitive? Ten years from now?

I don’t want to pull the trigger on anything right now, but if we are good enough to go on some crazy run and look the part, we should do whatever it takes to capitalize. That’s just me because I’m always about aggressively trying to compete. But I understand the other side of protecting against being absolutely terrible for another ten years too.

Sad we are in this purgatory. .

For this team to really get over the hump and become an above .500 team with a shot at the top 6, I think we need to address the #2 guard situation. Dunn can’t be a 27 min per game starter. It’s clogging up the offense, making it a bit harder for Zu to get shot attempts, and we need to at least hit league average from the starting 2 guard in terms of points scored. As I noted a few days ago, Dunn has only been in double digits in about a third of his starts. So if they can get Monk or Sexton on the cheap, do it. Otherwise give more mins to Sanders and Miller and see if these kids can level up.

So, I’ll just be happy that someone takes a loss.

The two guys that I think one can make the best case for are: Malik Monk and Collin Sexton.

Monk would fill the Norm role almost to a tee. More athletic than Norm, but probably not quite the refined shot maker. But the dude is only 27. If we got Monk, Ty Lue probably brings him off the bench and Dunn continues to start alongside Harden, but then moves to more of a spot role, 20 min per game player. I do think Dunn would be more effective as a strategic weapon used for certain match ups.

Sexton is having a very good year for Charlotte and this is a dude who has averaged 18.6 a game over 8 seasons. He is a bucket and his assist numbers have gone up since he went to Utah and now Charlotte. He’s only 27 and given how and where his numbers have improved, LAC would be getting the best version of him if they were to get him now. Sexton is on an expiring deal.

If it were possible to get both, LAC might actually have a heavyweight roster with multiple under 30 players.