Bill airborne the Clippers, Paul and Brogden choose another one, and the elderly warship in Los Angeles will be upgraded again!

As soon as Bill arrived in Los Angeles, the Clippers management's phone number was dialed to two other 30+ veterans. The three-time All-Star guard would not have expected that his decision to join the Clippers for two years and $11 million will set off a silent bench battle within the team.

"Chris wants to start the guarantee, but Tyron Lu's tactical board is already full of Harden's name." A source close to the locker room revealed. At the same time, in a training hall in Indiana, Malcolm Brogden's mobile phone screen lit up, and the caller ID area code was 213.

01 Bill airborne, the Clippers' backcourt revolution

When the news that Bill reached a buyout agreement with the Suns broke out by Shams, the general manager's room of half of the league's teams sounded 7. The scorer, who averaged 17 points and 3.7 assists per game, resolutely gave up $13.8 million in the buyout just to join the new owner of Luocheng City.

Harden's personal recruitment became the decisive weight. "The bearded man talked directly with the Bill team and convinced him that this was the perfect springboard to win the championship." The well-known reporter emphasized in the report. After Norman Powell left the team, the Clippers urgently needed to fill the vacancy of starting shooting guard. Bill's data may not be the peak, but the 38.6% three-point shooting percentage is a fatal puzzle with Leonard and Harden.

The Clippers' ambitions this summer are much more than that. By signing Lopez, getting Corinth's deal, and now locking in Bill, the management's blueprint for building a "on-fight matrix" has become clear.

Bill's frustrated years at Phoenix (wonly won one playoff round in two years) turned into fuel at this moment, driving the 32-year-old veteran to the Clippers' training ground. When he signed his name on the contract, the team's salary experts were urgently calculating the balance of the middle class special case - a first-year salary of $5.334 million, leaving just enough room to sign another person.

02 The choice of the bench, Paul and Brogdon's secret battle

Bill's joining is like a domino, triggering a chain reaction. Brett Siegel's latest revelation ignited the fan forum: "The Clippers have strong interest in Paul and Brogdon, but they will never sign two people at the same time!" Chris Paul, 39, is standing at the intersection of life. He was eager to return to Los Angeles last season, and was even revealed that he "may follow Bill's footsteps to join." But the contradiction is: Paul insists on starting commitment, but the Clippers coaching staff find it difficult to part with the backcourt combination of Harden and Bill.

"The team needs Paul's experience, but they are more afraid that the locker room will change due to role allocation." A Western Conference scout analyzed. Meanwhile, Brogdon, 31, became a potential breaker. The point guard who contributed 12.7 points + 4.1 assists to the Wizards last season can organize the ball and attack without the ball, and the risk of injury is far lower than that of Paul.

The balance of the Clippers management is subtly tilted. If Paul insists on the starting position, Brogdon will be on the bench as the "sixth man with higher cost performance". After all, signing this point guard who is in his year of playing with the basic salary of a veteran is a sure-fire deal.

03 Brogdon, the underestimated factor

When fans talked about Paul's next stop, Brogdon's team was quietly waiting for the call. This point guard, who ranked fourth in the league in assists and turnovers in 2021, has the characteristics that the Clippers need - stability.

During the chaotic season in Washington, he still handed in a report card with a true hit rate of 54.7%. What's even more rare is that Brogden can seamlessly switch roles. During his time as the 3D wing, he was the core of the Pacers' transformation organization, and the Wizards took on the heavy responsibility of scoring.

"He is like a Swiss army knife, and the coach takes out whatever he needs." An Eastern executive commented. This adaptability is particularly precious for the Clippers who are determined to compete for the championship. When Leonard rests or Harden's condition fluctuates, Brogdon can immediately fill the fire gap, and Paul's health risks are always the sword of the roof.

Salary factor is also critical. Bill has consumed most of the middle class special cases, and only veterans are left with the Clippers. Although Brogdon's market price is higher than the basic salary, the possibility of a salary cut for the championship is much greater than that of Paul who insists on starting position.

04 The elderly warship, the Clippers' gamble

"Are you sentenced to play under 30 to our team?" The complaints from Chinese fans received 414 likes. Behind this joke, it reflects the Clippers' desperate bet on the team building strategy.

32-year-old Bill, 33-year-old Harden, 34-year-old Leonard, plus 39-year-old Paul or 31-year-old Brogdon, who may join - the average age of the Clippers' core rotation has exceeded the 33-year-old mark.

But the logic of management is clearly visible: Leonard's window to win the championship is closing, and we must grasp the peak tail and pile up the combat power. The sting of being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last season made the boss Ballmer give up the reserve of "future assets".

When the Bills buyout market opened, the Lakers had a fierce pursuit. "The Bill team has communicated extensively with the Lakers, but he has never shown enthusiasm for signing." Siegel revealed it in subsequent reports. The three-time All-Star finally chose the same-city opponent just because the Clippers can provide a clearer path to the championship.

On the streets of Los Angeles under the setting sun, the Clippers Training Center is still brightly lit. There are two names written on the whiteboard of the general manager's office: Paul and Brogdon, but there are eye-catching dividing lines in the middle.

"We know what Chris wants, but what Tyron needs is a veteran who can accept the role of the sixth person." An insider revealed. At this time, Brogden, who was training far away in Orlando, had just finished his extra training, and a new message lit up on the screen of his mobile phone: "Waiting for us to notify within 48 hours."

When fans joked that the Clippers formed a "care home", the management was using precise salary calculations and rotation simulations to bet on the final wild dance of the old boys. After all, in the NBA world, experience and scars are sometimes more precious than youth.

Will you choose Paul's pass or Brogdon's comprehensiveness?