LA Clippers 2019-2020 Check-in: Johnathan Motley

Robert Flom — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 20:39:12 +0000

213hoops.com
LA Clippers 2019-2020 Check-in: Johnathan Motley

Basic Information

Height: 6’8

Weight: 230 pounds

Position: Power forward/Center

Years in NBA: 1

Age: 25

Key Stats: 2.2 points, 0.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists, and 0.2 steals in 3.2 minutes per game across 13 games played on 73.3/100/71.4 shooting splits.

G-League Stats: 24 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 33 minutes per game across 26 games on 51.8/35.6/75.3 shooting splits.

Contract Status: On the first year of a two-way contract, can only be signed to a two-way deal for one more season.

Expectations

After a season of limited NBA playing time, Johnathan Motley and his fans might have hoped that he would receive more minutes in 2020. However, those expectations were dashed with the arrival of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, and the transformation of the Clips into title contenders. Maybe some people thought that Motley could win some minutes at center if Ivica Zubac struggled or Montrezl Harrell was traded, but the Clippers’ depth and starpower afforded virtually no room for fringe players.

Reality

Motley has played far less than even in 2019, scratching together just 41 minutes across 13 games. He’s played the fewest minutes of any player to check into a game for the 2020 Clippers, trailing even raw rookie Mfiondu Kabengele and fellow two-way player Amir Coffey. Motley has been completely relegated to garbage time, lacking the scant legit rotation minutes of the prior year.

Motley has therefore spent the bulk of the year in the G-League. Unfortunately, his numbers in Agua Caliente are somewhat worse than they were a season ago, with only his three-point shooting improving, and all other stats taking a hit. While he was probably never going to receive playing time this year, his failure to step forward in the G-League does not bode well for his NBA future.

Future with Clippers

It’s really tough to say what Motley’s future holds on the Clippers. On one hand, he’s cheap, has shown some legitimate scoring upside with a lot of energy, and is familiar with the team and culture. On the other, his standing as a tweener and poor defense leave a lot to be desired at the next level, and he’s not exactly a young prospect anymore. It’s possible he sticks around the Clips organization as an end-of the-bench guy, but it would not be surprising to see him depart this summer for more playing time or the chance of it somewhere else.

LA Clippers 2019-2020 Check-in: Johnathan Motley
Robert Flom

2019-2020 LA Clippers Check-In: Amir Coffey

Robert Flom — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 14:00:22 +0000

213hoops.com
2019-2020 LA Clippers Check-In: Amir Coffey

Basic Information

Age: 22

Height: 6’7

Weight: 220 pounds

Years of Experience: Rookie

Position: Shooting guard/Small forward

NBA Stats: 2.2 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 7.5 minutes per game across 13 games played with 39.4/14.3/33.3 shooting splits.

G-League Stats: 14.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals in 27.3 minutes per game in 16 games played with 48/40/71.9 shooting splits.

Future Contract Status: Coffey is on a two-way contract, and it’s not reported whether for just this season or for next as well. Either way, he should be easily retainable next season.

Expectations

No player on the Clippers roster might have come into the 2019-2020 season than Amir Coffey. The Clippers signed Coffey to their summer league team shortly after the 2019 Draft, a move that was praised even early on due to Coffey’s numbers and promise at the University of Minnesota. After a couple standout games in Las Vegas, the Clips inked Coffey to a two-way deal, signifying their extended interest. However, on a championship roster, playing the positions of two superstars and with several veterans ahead in the rotation, there was never any idea of Coffey playing a role of significance on the 2020 Clippers.

Reality

The reality has mostly matched those expectations. Coffey has spent most of the 2020 NBA season either down in the G-League or suited up on the end of the bench. He’s played in just 13 games for the Clippers, and nearly all of those were limited to garbage time. However, he did have one legitimate stint in the rotation against the Cavs, and he played quite well, showcasing his defense, scoring ability, and versatility on the court. It was one game against an awful team in a huge blowout, but still, it was nice to see.

Coffey’s numbers in the G-League are also quite promising. Most importantly, he’s been hitting three-point shots at a high clip from NBA range, which is a great development after his inconsistent (at best) outside shooting in college. With the G-League season cancelled and the NBA increasing the number of roster spots for the playoffs, Coffey will be on the Clippers bench during the playoffs. It remains unlikely, however, that he gets his name called for any meaningful action.

Future with Clippers

It seems unclear whether Coffey’s two-way contract is for this season only, or extends to 2021 as well. Even if it doesn’t, it seems likely that the Clippers have a certain level of long-term interest in Coffey. He hasn’t blown anyone away, but he’s a promising young player who the Clippers already have familiarity and comfort with, and he’s going to be cheap. For a team that boasts two max superstars and will only get more expensive over the next couple of years, cheap young players with potential are important. It remains to be seen if Coffey is really an NBA player, and if he is, whether it will be on the Clippers, but I wouldn’t bet against him being in a Clips jersey for at least another season or two.

2019-2020 LA Clippers Check-In: Amir Coffey
Robert Flom

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LA Clippers 2019-2020 Check-in: Johnathan Motley

Basic Information

Expectations

Reality

Future with Clippers

2019-2020 LA Clippers Check-In: Amir Coffey

Basic Information

Expectations

Reality

Future with Clippers