Clippers offseason goals! Handle Harden player options and strengthen the inside line to continue to compete

On May 6, the NBA playoffs are in full swing, but for the Los Angeles Clippers, their journey has ended. They defeated the Nuggets in the first round tiebreak and were eliminated 3-4. The Clippers have also begun to prepare for the offseason, and President Frank also held a press conference. During this period, he also talked about some topics. The team will deal with Harden's player options and strengthen them to maintain competitiveness.

Frank said that the Clippers' first task in the offseason is to deal with the player options issues of Harden and Batum, and will carry out follow-up operations based on their decisions. Both are core members of the team, including Harden signed a two-year, $70 million contract last year and a 36.3 million player option in the second year. The two sides will also hold some negotiations next. After all, Harden has performed quite well this season and may sign a contract renewal.

For Batum, the Clippers admire him very much. Frank said bluntly: "We hope he can come back one thousand percent. When we have to trade him out in 2023, it will be a very, very dark day for all of us." When the trade was obtained by Harden, the Clippers joined Batum, but last summer the two sides reached an agreement again, and Batum also wanted to return here.

In addition to solving the player suspense, the Clippers will also need to strengthen the inside, organize the defenders and shooters this summer. Among them, strengthening the inside is the primary goal. Only Zubac is available in the inside. The power forward often relies on Leonard and Batum to top it. Height and weight are still insufficient, which made the Nuggets' Gordon play very easily in the first round. Whether an excellent power forward can be introduced this summer will determine the Clippers' trend next season.

In addition, the Clippers also revealed a clear news, that is, they will not choose to play badly, and it is likely that Leonard + Harden will be the core combination. Next, it depends on whether they can bring some helpers to them. Zubac and Powell have proved some value. The only regret is that Powell has not been very stable in the playoffs. In terms of lineup matching, the Clippers also have the opportunity to improve. The salary pressure is not great, it depends on whether they can bring some suitable puzzles.