The Los Angeles Clippers have not been actively looking to upgrade their center position, according to Jake Fischer, despite undergoing a major roster overhaul following their 42-40 season.
Los Angeles appears prepared to move forward with Brook Lopez as its primary center, supported by Isaiah Jackson, Yanic Konan Niederhauser and rookie Johni Broome after reshaping much of the roster around Darius Garland and Brandon Ingram.
Lopez, 38, played 75 games last season and averaged 8.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 21.8 minutes. His 36.0% three-point shooting gives the Clippers a floor-spacing option at center, while his 1.2 blocks provide the projected starting lineup with its most established rim-protection presence.
Jackson offers a different profile behind him. The 24-year-old averaged 7.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 15.9 minutes across 17 games, shooting 76.4% from the field, while Niederhäuser averaged 4.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 41 appearances.
The decision not to pursue another center suggests the Clippers are comfortable with that group after making significant changes elsewhere. Nicolas Batum, Bogdan Bogdanovic and John Collins departed as Los Angeles shifted toward a younger roster built around Garland, Ingram and No. 5 overall pick Keaton Wagler.
The projected starting lineup places Garland and Wagler in the backcourt, with Ingram and Rui Hachimura at forward and Lopez at center. That group would feature significant perimeter scoring, with Lopez’s ability to operate away from the basket creating space for Garland’s pick-and-roll game and Ingram’s isolation scoring.
The Clippers acquired Garland before last season’s trade deadline, and he averaged 19.9 points and 6.4 assists in 19 appearances with Los Angeles while shooting 47.1% from the field and 43.8% from three-point range.
Ingram’s arrival represents another major change after the Clippers moved Kawhi Leonard to Toronto in a pending deal that also brought Gradey Dick and future draft compensation. Los Angeles later added Max Strus and Hachimura while continuing to accumulate younger players and draft assets.
