With one week to go until the start of training camps, the 2021 NBA offseason is about to come to an end. The last official day of summer is here, and the regular season begins in exactly four weeks.
When it comes to the LA Clippers, a big part of the offseason was continuity, especially after re-signing Kawhi Leonard, Serge Ibaka, Reggie Jackson and Nicolas Batum. But the Clippers shook up the point guard corps by acquiring Eric Bledsoe in a trade with Memphis, while using the first of what turned out to be three draft picks on wing Keon Johnson. The continuity comes with the reality that Leonard (knee surgery in July) and Ibaka (back surgery in June) are still recovering from injuries that ended their seasons last spring.
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A depth chart places a roster in a hierarchy strictly based on position. In a league where positions are increasingly ambiguous (you won’t see me using the term “positionless,” as everyone has a position), I am more interested in who the first three players off a bench would be than who merely makes up the second string.
Now is a good time to reflect upon the moves that were made. In these rotation charts, I place the top line as the starters at the nominal positions (PG = point guard, SG = shooting guard, SF = small forward, PF = power forward, C = center). On the second line is the rotation that consists of two perimeter players (a combo guard or wing, PG, SG or SF) bracketing a big man (PF or C). On the third line is the rest of the bench from spots 9 to 13; I target bigs for spots 9 and 11 while keeping spots 10 and 12 for perimeter players.
The previous season’s chart has the entire roster, including two-way players, from the last game of the season. It is an estimation of the rotation chart based on the allocation of minutes from the entire season. For the upcoming season, rotation charts feature three color codes: green for 2021 first-round picks, yellow for veteran acquisitions (either via free agency or trade) and red for players who are uncertain to be ready for at least training camp because of injury. I generally exclude second-round and undrafted rookies along with two-way contracts from this version of the rotation chart.
LA CLIPPERS
Overall, based on the rotation chart, you can see what the differences are for this upcoming season from last year’s Clippers team. Reggie Jackson replaced Patrick Beverley as a starter in the postseason, and now Beverley’s spot on the roster has been taken by Bledsoe. Leonard’s injury moves Terance Mann into the starting lineup. Marcus Morris Sr. should be ready to start this season ahead of Nicolas Batum; last season, Batum started until shortly after the All-Star break. Ivica Zubac should retain the starting role he gained once Ibaka had to miss an extended period of time due to injury.
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Luke Kennard’s contract extension kicks in this year, and he should be ready to step up in the rotation. The inclusion of Rajon Rondo in the Bledsoe/Beverley trade allowed for younger players to compete for playing time, and Johnson represents that more than any acquisition; Johnson replaces Rondo on the roster. Justise Winslow will be a power forward this year, and he takes Patrick Patterson’s spot as the fifth big. There will be a three-way battle to replace DeMarcus Cousins as the third center, with former Cavalier Isaiah Hartenstein competing with former Trail Blazer Harry Giles III and undrafted rookie Moses Wright.
The second-round rookies have the last spots, which were occupied by Yogi Ferrell and Daniel Oturu last season. Jason Preston replaces Ferrell as the third-string point guard, while Brandon Boston Jr. replaces Oturu as a developmental second-round rookie at a position of surplus. Jay Scrubb will return on the second year of his two-way contract, while Amir Coffey has a qualifying offer after maintaining a spot as a two-way contract player the previous two seasons.
For the other 29 teams, I’ll take a brief look at each rotation chart, adding in last season’s results and this season’s schedule with the Clippers. It’s important to keep in mind that teams are more likely to have their projected rotations earlier in the season, and that meetings late in a season could be thrown off by injuries, rest dates and the occasional tank. Of course, this is the NBA, where teams can change significantly by midseason due to the trade and buyout deadlines.
I’ll add a short analysis of the moves each team made and something for the Clippers to think about, as well. We’ll start with the rest of the Pacific Division, then break down the rest of the Western Conference, then the Eastern Conference.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 1-2
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Oct. 21 at GS, Nov. 28 vs. GS, Feb. 14 vs. GS, Mar. 8 at GS
– Rotation changes: Otto Porter Jr. replaces Kelly Oubre Jr.; Andre Iguodala returns to replace Eric Paschall; lottery picks Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody replace Kent Bazemore and Gary Payton II.
– Clippers: James Wiseman (knee) and Klay Thompson (Achilles) likely won’t be ready to start the regular season, and the Clippers will be the last of the 30 NBA teams to begin the regular season when they’re in Golden State for opening week. Key assistant Kenny Atkinson also left the Clippers for the Warriors this offseason.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 0-3
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Dec. 3 at LAL, Feb. 3 vs. LAL, Feb. 25 at LAL, Mar. 3 vs. LAL
– Rotation changes: Russell Westbrook replaces Dennis Schroder; Wayne Ellington replaces Kentavious Caldwell-Pope; DeAndre Jordan replaces Andre Drummond; Kendrick Nunn replaces Alex Caruso; Carmelo Anthony replaces Kyle Kuzma; Dwight Howard replaces Montrezl Harrell; Malik Monk replaces Wesley Matthews; Trevor Ariza replaces Markieff Morris; Kent Bazemore replaces Ben McLemore; Rajon Rondo replaces Jared Dudley.
– Clippers: The Lakers will have a couple of former Clippers on the roster in Jordan and Rondo, the latter who finished last season with the Clippers. Last offseason, the Lakers were heralded for their offseason; not a single player the Lakers acquired before or during the 2020-21 season remains after the team won two playoff games in 2021.
PHOENIX SUNS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 1-2, defeated Clippers 4-2 in Western Conference Finals
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Dec. 13 vs. PHO, Jan. 6 at PHO, Feb. 15 at PHO, Apr. 6 vs. PHO
– Rotation changes: Landry Shamet replaces Jevon Carter; JaVale McGee replaces the injured Dario Saric (right ACL) and Torrey Craig; Elfrid Payton replaces E’Twaun Moore.
– Clippers: The Suns are the team to beat in the Pacific and the Western Conference, especially for the Clippers. After all, the Suns eliminated the Clippers in the postseason, along with the defending champions from 2020 and the team with the 2021 MVP.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 1-2
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Dec. 1 vs. SAC, Dec. 4 at SAC, Dec. 22 at SAC, Apr. 9 vs. SAC
– Rotation changes: Tristan Thompson replaces Hassan Whiteside; Davion Mitchell replaces Delon Wright; Alex Len replaces Justin James on the roster.
– Clippers: In the one game the Kings won against the Clippers, on Super Bowl Sunday, Reggie Jackson described De’Aaron Fox as having “Bugatti speed.” The Clippers will see that speed three times in 22 days this December. The Kings are trying to avoid breaking the record for consecutive seasons missing the NBA playoffs, a mark they’re currently tied with the Clippers/Braves from 1976-91 at 15 seasons.
DENVER NUGGETS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 2-1
– 2021-22season dates vs. Clippers: Dec. 26 vs. DEN, Jan. 11 vs. DEN, Jan. 19 at DEN, Mar. 22 at DEN
– Rotation changes: Jeff Green replaces Paul Millsap; Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland replaces JaVale McGee on the roster.
– Clippers: Jamal Murray tore his left ACL in April. It would seem like a long shot for him to be ready around Christmas, but the Clippers could see him in one of their January meetings.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
– Last season vs. Clippers: 0-3
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Nov. 3 at MIN, Nov. 5 at MIN, Nov. 13 vs. MIN, Jan. 3 vs. MIN
– Rotation changes: Patrick Beverley replaces Ricky Rubio; Taurean Prince replaces Juan Hernangomez.
– Clippers: The first miniseries the Clippers will play next season will be in Minnesota, and those could serve as Beverley revenge games.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
– Last season vs. Clippers: 1-2
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Nov. 1 vs. OKC, Dec. 18 at OKC, Apr. 10 vs. OKC
– Rotation changes: Lottery pick Josh Giddey replaces Svi Mykhailiuk; Derrick Favors replaces Al Horford; first-rounder Tre Mann replaces Moses Brown on the roster.
– Clippers: If you enjoyed Oklahoma City’s season-ending win against the Clippers last year, then you may be thrilled to see that the Thunder will be in LA for a third straight regular-season finale between the two teams. The Thunder also have the 2022 first-round pick of the Clippers, so there’s that.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 0-3
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Oct. 25 vs. POR, Oct. 29 at POR, Nov. 9 vs. POR, Dec. 6 at POR
– Rotation changes: Tony Snell replaces Carmelo Anthony; Larry Nance Jr. replaces Derrick Jones Jr.; Cody Zeller replaces Enes Kanter; Patrick Patterson may replace Harry Giles III; Ben McLemore replaces Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on the roster.
– Clippers: Chauncey Billups went from Tyronn Lue’s assistant last season to the new head coach in Portland, and Billups took assistant Roy Rogers with him. Patterson, a Clippers big the last two seasons, is on a camp deal in Portland.
UTAH JAZZ
– Last season vs. Clippers: 2-1, defeated by Clippers 4-2 in Western Conference semifinals
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Dec. 15 at UTA, Mar. 18 at UTA, Mar. 29 vs. UTA
– Rotation changes: Rudy Gay replaces Georges Niang; Hassan Whiteside replaces Derrick Favors; Eric Paschall replaces Juwan Morgan. Ersan Ilyasova and Matt Thomas will be replaced internally by Udoka Azubuike and Elijah Hughes.
– Clippers: The Jazz had the best record in the NBA last year, but they blew a 2-0 lead to the Clippers, one year after both teams blew 3-1 leads to the Denver Nuggets. The Jazz’s main upgrade is Gay as they look to redeem themselves against the Clippers. The Jazz are the only 2021 Western Conference playoff team the Clippers see only three times.
DALLAS MAVERICKS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 2-1, defeated by Clippers 4-3 in Western Conference quarterfinals
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Nov. 21 vs. DAL, Nov. 23 vs. DAL, Feb. 10 at DAL, Feb. 12 at DAL
– Rotation changes: Reggie Bullock replaces Josh Richardson; Sterling Brown replaces JJ Redick (retired).
– Clippers: Like the Jazz, the Mavericks held a 2-0 series lead over the Clippers before losing four of five to end their season. As of now, Bullock gives the Mavericks a more reliable shooter, but Dallas actually downgraded their ballhandling and playmaking this offseason to this point.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 1-2
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Feb. 17 vs. HOU, Feb. 27 at HOU, Mar. 1 at HOU
– Rotation changes: Lottery pick Jalen Green will ultimately replace John Wall, who is not expected to play again for the Rockets; Green replaces Avery Bradley on the roster. Daniel Theis replaces Kelly Olynyk; first-rounder Alperen Sengun replaces D.J. Wilson; first-rounder Usman Garuba replaces Cam Oliver; first-rounder Josh Christopher replaces Sterling Brown.
– Clippers: Last season, the Clippers didn’t see the Rockets until the final few weeks of the season. This season, the teams will have all of their meetings within a 13-day span, with the All-Star break in the middle and bracketed by the trade and buyout deadlines.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
– Last season vs. Clippers: 1-2
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Oct. 23 vs. MEM, Nov. 18 at MEM, Jan. 8 vs. MEM, Feb. 8 at MEM
– Rotation changes: Steven Adams replaces Jonas Valanciunas; Daniel Oturu replaces Jontay Porter; lottery pick Ziaire Williams replaces Justise Winslow; first-rounder Santi Aldama replaces Grayson Allen on the roster.
– Clippers: Oturu is the only player remaining on the Grizzlies from the Eric Bledsoe trade after Memphis rerouted Patrick Beverley and bought out Rajon Rondo. Oturu could make his return to LA for the Clippers’ home opener. That also will be Justise Winslow’s revenge game. Williams and Clippers rookie Brandon Boston Jr. played together at Sierra Canyon, where they were both McDonald’s All-Americans.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 2-1
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Nov. 19 at NO, Nov. 29 vs. NO, Jan. 13 at NO, Apr. 3 vs. NO
– Rotation changes: Devonte’ Graham replaces Lonzo Ball; Tomas Satoransky replaces Eric Bledsoe; Jonas Valanciunas replaces Steven Adams; first-round rookie Trey Murphy III replaces Joe Johnson; Garrett Temple replaces Wes Iwundu.
– Clippers: The Pelicans were the only lottery team that beat the Clippers multiple times last season. Now, they will be coached by former Suns assistant Willie Green, a Clippers teammate of fellow first-year head coach Chauncey Billups (now in Portland) and former Pelican and renewed Clipper Bledsoe.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 1-2
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Nov. 16 vs. SA, Dec. 20 vs. SA, Jan. 15 at SA
– Rotation changes: Doug McDermott replaces DeMar DeRozan; Thaddeus Young replaces Rudy Gay; Bryn Forbes replaces Patty Mills; Zach Collins is still recovering from multiple ankle surgeries but replaces Trey Lyles; lottery pick Joshua Primo replaces DaQuan Jeffries.
– Clippers: The Clippers will visit San Antonio only once this season; last season, the Clippers were in San Antonio for a miniseries that took place on both sides of the trade deadline.
BOSTON CELTICS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 2-0
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Dec. 8 vs. BOS, Dec. 29 at BOS
– Rotation changes: Dennis Schroder replaces Kemba Walker; Al Horford replaces Tristan Thompson; Josh Richardson replaces Evan Fournier; Enes Kanter replaces Luke Kornet; Juan Hernangomez replaces Semi Ojeleye.
– Clippers: The Celtics were the only team that failed to win a playoff series that the Clippers were unable to beat. This season, the first time the Clippers play a road game against the Eastern Conference will be at the end of December in Boston.
BROOKLYN NETS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 2-0
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Dec. 27 vs. BRK, Jan. 1 at BRK
– Rotation changes: Patty Mills replaces Spencer Dinwiddie; Paul Millsap replaces Jeff Green; LaMarcus Aldridge replaces DeAndre Jordan; first-round rookie Cam Thomas replaces Mike James; first-round rookie Day’Ron Sharpe replaces Alize Johnson; Jevon Carter replaces Landry Shamet; James Johnson replaces Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot.
– Clippers: The logistics will be challenging for the Clippers in both meetings against the Nets next season. The Clippers will be coming off of a Boxing Day game against the Nuggets prior to hosting the Nets, then they will be coming from Canada on New Year’s Eve to visit Brooklyn five days later — two back-to-backs against what will be a relatively rested Nets team as part of a five-in-seven.
NEW YORK KNICKS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 1-1
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Jan. 23 at NY, Mar. 6 vs. NY
– Rotation changes: Kemba Walker replaces Elfrid Payton; Evan Fournier replaces Reggie Bullock; first-round rookie Quentin Grimes replaces Frank Ntilikina.
– Clippers: The Knicks traded down with the Clippers to select Grimes; the Clippers sent over a Detroit 2024 second-round pick to select Keon Johnson.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 1-1
– 2021-22 season dates vs Clippers: Jan. 21 at PHI, Mar. 25 vs. PHI
– Rotation changes: Andre Drummond replaces Dwight Howard; Georges Niang replaces Mike Scott; first-round rookie Jaden Springer replaces George Hill.
– Clippers: This time a year ago, the Clippers parted ways with Doc Rivers as head coach, who didn’t exactly click with Paul George. Now, the 76ers are trying to manage a festering situation with All-Star Ben Simmons, who has requested a trade amid conflict with Rivers. It does not seem likely that Simmons will be in Philadelphia by the time the Clippers visit in January, but crazier things have happened.
TORONTO RAPTORS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 0-2
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Dec. 31 at TOR, Mar. 16 vs. TOR
– Rotation changes: Lottery pick Scottie Barnes replaces Stanley Johnson; Goran Dragic replaces Kyle Lowry; Svi Mykhailiuk replaces DeAndre’ Bembry; Precious Achiuwa replaces Aron Baynes.
– Clippers: Pascal Siakam underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder in June, which came with an expected recovery time of five months. Siakam won’t be ready to start the season, but he could be back for when the Clippers visit Toronto on New Year’s Eve.
CHICAGO BULLS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 0-2
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Nov. 14 vs. CHI, Mar. 31 at CHI
– Rotation changes: Lonzo Ball replaces Tomas Satoransky; DeMar DeRozan replaces Daniel Theis; Alex Caruso replaces Garrett Temple; Derrick Jones Jr. replaces Lauri Markkanen; Tony Bradley replaces Cristiano Felicio; Alize Johnson replaces Thaddeus Young; Stanley Johnson replaces Denzel Valentine.
– Clippers: Coby White underwent left shoulder surgery in June and will miss the start of training camp. White is scheduled to be re-evaluated next month, so there’s a chance that he will be ready when the Bulls visit the Clippers in November.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 0-2
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Oct. 27 vs. CLE, Mar. 14 at CLE
– Rotation changes: Ricky Rubio replaces Taurean Prince; Lauri Markkanen replaces Larry Nance Jr.; lottery pick Evan Mobley replaces Isaiah Hartenstein; Denzel Valentine replaces Damyean Dotson. Matthew Dellavedova will be replaced internally by Lamar Stevens.
– Clippers: The Cavaliers will visit the Clippers very early in the season, so the strange arrangement they have with their bigs will be interesting to watch coming out of the preseason. That October meeting also will be Hartenstein’s revenge game if he makes the final Clippers roster. Speaking of revenge, Mfiondu Kabengele also could be making his return to visit the Clippers if the 2019 first-round pick is still on the Cavaliers roster at the end of next month.
DETROIT PISTONS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 0-2
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Nov. 26 vs. DET, Mar. 13 at DET
– Rotation changes: No. 1 overall draft pick Cade Cunningham replaces Wayne Ellington; Kelly Olynyk replaces Mason Plumlee; Trey Lyles replaces Sekou Doumbouya.
– Clippers: The Clippers will be hosting Cunningham and the Pistons in a matinee game on Black Friday.
INDIANA PACERS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 0-2
– 2021-22season dates vs. Clippers: Jan. 17 vs. IND, Jan. 31 at IND
– Rotation changes: Torrey Craig replaces Doug McDermott; lottery pick Chris Duarte replaces Aaron Holiday; first-round rookie Isaiah Jackson replaces JaKarr Sampson.
– Clippers: T.J. Warren hasn’t played since Dec. 29 of last year after undergoing left foot surgery in January. He still isn’t healing properly, making his return date unclear. Edmond Sumner tore his left Achilles tendon this month and likely will miss the entire season.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 1-1
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Feb. 6 vs. MIL, Apr. 1 at MIL
– Rotation changes: Grayson Allen replaces Sam Merrill; Semi Ojeleye replaces P.J. Tucker; George Hill replaces Jeff Teague; Rodney Hood replaces Bryn Forbes.
– Clippers: The Clippers were able to blow out the Bucks last season at the end of March with Paul George out of the lineup and the team trailing by double digits in the first half. Milwaukee’s home win over the Clippers last season came on a Sunday where the Clippers failed to execute in clutch times, allowing 2021 NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to take over late. The Bucks are the defending champions, and they spent the last three rounds of their playoff run without starter Donte DiVincenzo, who is recovering well after tearing ligaments in his left ankle.
ATLANTA HAWKS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 1-1
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Jan. 9 vs. ATL, Mar. 11 at ATL
– Rotation changes: Gorgui Dieng replaces Bruno Fernando; Delon Wright replaces Kris Dunn; first-round rookie Jalen Johnson replaces Tony Snell.
– Clippers: Lou Williams will return to face the Clippers for the first time in January. Onyeka Okongwu had surgery in July to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder and was expected to need six months to recover, so he likely won’t be ready for the January meeting.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 0-2
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Nov. 7 vs. CHA, Jan. 30 at CHA
– Rotation changes: Mason Plumlee replaces Bismack Biyombo; Kelly Oubre Jr. replaces Caleb Martin; lottery pick James Bouknight replaces Malik Monk; first-round rookie Kai Jones replaces Cody Zeller; Ish Smith replaces Devonte’ Graham.
– Clippers: 2021 Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball injured his right wrist in LA against the Clippers last March. Ball will look for a better homecoming outcome in November.
MIAMI HEAT
– Last season vs. Clippers: 0-2
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Nov. 11 vs MIA, Jan. 28 at MIA
– Rotation changes: Kyle Lowry replaces Goran Dragic; P.J. Tucker replaces Trevor Ariza; Markieff Morris replaces Nemanja Bjelica. Kendrick Nunn, Andre Iguodala and Precious Achiuwa will be replaced internally by Victor Oladipo (eventually), KZ Okpala and Omer Yurtseven.
– Clippers: The Heat were the only 2021 playoff team that failed to win a playoff game last postseason, and their most important acquisitions are in their mid-30s. The timetable for Oladipo to return from surgery this past May to repair a torn right quad is undefined. Oladipo seems likely to miss the November meeting, but he could be ready when the Clippers visit Miami in January.
ORLANDO MAGIC
– Last season vs. Clippers: 1-1
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Dec. 11 vs. ORL, Jan. 26 at ORL
– Rotation changes: Lottery picks Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner replace Dwayne Bacon and James Ennis III. Robin Lopez replaces Donta Hall.
– Clippers: Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz are both recovering from ACL surgeries. It is unclear if either will be ready for the season opener next month, but both could be ready when the Magic visit LA in December. Backup guard Michael Carter-Williams underwent ankle surgery in August and won’t be ready to start the season next month.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
– Last season vs. Clippers: 1-1
– 2021-22 season dates vs. Clippers: Jan. 25 at WAS, Mar. 9 vs. WAS
– Rotation changes: Spencer Dinwiddie replaces Russell Westbrook; Kyle Kuzma replaces Chandler Hutchison; Kentavious Caldwell-Pope replaces Ish Smith; Montrezl Harrell replaces Alex Len; Aaron Holiday replaces Caleb Homesley; first-round rookie Corey Kispert replaces Isaac Bonga.
– Clippers: Thomas Bryant (left knee surgery) likely will not be ready for when preseason ends.
(Photo of Reggie Jackson, Paul George and Terance Mann: Jerome Miron/USA TODAY)