Anthony Davila

The LA Clippers have acquired the draft rights to guard Keon Johnson, the 21st overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, from the New York Knicks in exchange for the Clippers 25th overall pick in this year’s draft and the Detroit Pistons second-round pick in 2024.

“We studied Keon closely throughout the draft process and are thrilled we were able to move up to select him,” said Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank. “He is an explosive athlete, a versatile defender and a terrific competitor who will fit in well with our group.”

Johnson averaged 11.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists during his freshman season at the University of Tennessee. The 6-foot-4 guard led the Volunteers in field goals made (111) and ranked second in scoring. The Shelbyville, Tenn., native was named to the 2020-21 SEC All-Freshman First Team and received SEC Freshman of the Week honors on February 8. He subsequently broke the NBA Draft Combine record with a 48-inch vertical leap. Johnson was named Tennessee’s Mr. Basketball as a sophomore and a junior at The Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tenn. His mother, Conswella Johnson, was Tennessee’s Miss Basketball in high school and went on to play at Auburn, where she was a two-time All-SEC selection.

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LA Clippers Acquire Draft Rights To Keon Johnson

The NBA announced today that LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard has been selected by fans, players and media members as a Western Conference starter in the 70th NBA All-Star Game, which will be held at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Sunday, March 7th at 5 pm PST on TNT.

Leonard will make his fifth career All-Star appearance (2020, 2019, 2017, 2016), being named a starter each time. Leonard was named the 2020 NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant MVP, scoring 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting in a 157-155 victory.

In his 10th NBA season, Leonard is averaging career highs in assists (5.0), 3P% (38.9), and minutes played (34.4). The 6-foot-7 forward currently ranks first in the NBA in offensive rating (122.0), second in steals per game (1.8), and ninth in points per game (26.7). Leonard is also one of two players in the NBA this season to average at least 26 points, five rebounds, five assists, and one-and-a-half steals.

Leonard has scored 30 points or more in eight games this season and 20 points or more in his last 11 games. On February 2 against Brooklyn, he became the second player in franchise history and the first since 1975 to record at least 33 points, five assists, four steals and two blocked shots in a single game. On January 24 against Oklahoma City, Leonard became only the fourth NBA player since 2000 to record at least 34 points, nine rebounds and eight assists with no turnovers. He has scored 30 points or more with no turnovers in four games this season, a league high.

A two-time Defensive Player of the Year (2016, 2015) and two-time Finals MVP (2019, 2014), Leonard holds career averages of 19.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals. The Moreno Valley, Calif., native has twice been voted All-NBA First Team (2017, 2016) and All-NBA Second Team (2020, 2019), as well as All-Defensive First Team (2017, 2016, 2015) and All-Defensive Second Team three times (2020, 2019, 2014).

The NBA All-Star Game team rosters will be drafted by two captains, who will choose from the pool of players voted as starters and reserves in each conference, making their selections regardless of conference affiliation. The captains will be the All-Star starters who receive the most fan votes in their respective conference.

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Kawhi Leonard Selected As Western Conference All-Star Starter

The LA Clippers announced today the team has signed six-time NBA All-Star and five-time All-NBA forward Paul George to a multi-year contract extension. Per club policy, terms of the agreement were not announced.

“This is an important moment for our franchise and our fans, to secure a long-term commitment from one of the premier two-way players in the NBA,” said Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank. “We aspire to create a destination for players, an environment where they can succeed and enjoy their success. We’re delighted by Paul’s pride in representing Clippers fans, honored that he trusts the organization with this chapter of his career, and share in his relentless pursuit of championships. We admire his talent, his dedication and his unwavering allegiance to this region. We’re excited for the opportunity to accomplish our mutual goals together.”

“Paul is one of the best and most versatile players in the league, and he has been for about a decade,” said Clippers head coach Ty Lue. “He can play on or off the ball. He can score in a variety of different ways. And he can guard almost every position on the court. His skill and leadership will be integral to everything we do for many years to come. I’m thrilled we can continue to build with PG.”

In his first season with the Clippers, George averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and shot a career-high 41.2 percent from beyond the arc. His career defensive rating is 102.29, tied for seventh among all active players. George set several franchise records in his first campaign with L.A., becoming the first player in team history to score at least 30 points in his first two games, which included the most points in a Clippers home debut (37). George made five three-pointers or more in 12 games, a new franchise mark, and he made the most three-pointers by a Clipper in a single postseason, with 37 in the 2020 NBA Playoffs.

"As a kid growing up in Southern California, I always dreamed of playing in Los Angeles, where my friends and family could come watch me play,” said Paul. “I am so grateful to Steve Ballmer, Lawrence Frank, Coach Ty Lue, my teammates, and the entire Clippers organization for believing in me. I am proud to call this my home and look forward to doing my part in helping make the team a tremendous success – both on and off the court – in the years ahead.”

A native of Palmdale, Calif., George was acquired by the Clippers on July 10, 2019. In December of 2019, the City of Palmdale hosted “Paul George Day,” a festival to unveil seven newly constructed and refurbished basketball courts at four local parks where George grew up playing. The Paul George Foundation has been a driving force in the community, with programs benefiting underprivileged children and raising awareness for stroke prevention.

Originally selected with the 10th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, George has appeared in 652 career games, averaging 20.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists with the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Clippers. The 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist is one of four active players in the NBA with at least 13,000 points, 4,000 rebounds, 2,000 assists and 1,500 three-pointers. George, 30, has been named to the All-Defensive Team four times and was the 2013 Most Improved Player.

George spent two collegiate seasons at Fresno State, averaging 15.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists over 63 games. His No. 24 jersey was retired by the Bulldogs in the fall of 2019.

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LA Clippers Sign Six-Time All-Star Paul George To Contract Extension

I am again angry over the shooting of a Black man, Jacob Blake. Doc Rivers and the Bucks players said it well: We need real police accountability. Give citizens data to do so. Let's have criminal justice reform that keeps all people safe, but not senselessly imprisoned or afraid.

Now is the time to research and vote for the mayors, council people, commissioners, legislators, governors, judges, prosecutors, and attorneys general who can make it happen. Now is the time to work out bipartisan national police reform.

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A Statement from Steve Ballmer | (08.26.20)

SACRAMENTO – DeAndre Jordan received plenty of love from general managers around the league in NBA.com’s annual GM survey.

Jordan was voted the best center and best interior defender in the NBA, and Jordan, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin were all voted among the top four players at their respective positions in the league.

Paul was voted the league’s top passer and the active player who would make the best NBA coach someday, and he finished in the top two answers in five different categories.

In addition, Jamal Crawford was voted the bench player in the NBA who makes the biggest impact when he enters the game, and J.J. Redick found his way among the top answers in categories involving shooting and the ability to move without the ball.

As a team, the Clippers were picked to finish third in the West, receiving 23.3 percent of the vote for a second-place finish and 60 percent of the vote for a third-place finish, trailing only the Warriors and Spurs.

The survey gives GMs 48 different questions to respond to, and they can’t vote for their own team or personnel.

Below are the percentages from each question that includes a Clippers player or coach in the answer. According to the survey, percentages are based on a pool of respondents to the particular question, rather than all 30 GMs.

NBA.com’s full survey can be seen here.

Who is the best center in the NBA?1. DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers – 33.3%2. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento – 26.7%3.Anthony Davis, New Orleans – 16.7%4.Marc Gasol, Memphis – 13.3%5. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota – 6.7%6.Draymond Green, Golden State – 3.3%Last year:Marc Gasol – 65.5%

Who is the best interior defender in the NBA?1. DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers – 50.0%2. Rudy Gobert, Utah – 16.7%3.Draymond Green, Golden State – 10.0%4.Marc Gasol, Memphis – 6.7%
Dwight Howard, Atlanta – 6.7%Also receiving votes:Bismack Biyombo, Orlando; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio; Hassan Whiteside, MiamiLast year:Marc Gasol – 27.6%

Who is the best defensive player in the NBA?
1. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio – 66.7%
2. LeBron James, Cleveland – 10.0%
3. Avery Bradley, Boston – 6.7%
Draymond Green, Golden State – 6.7%
 DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers – 6.7%
6. Hassan Whiteside, Miami – 3.3%
Last year: Kawhi Leonard – 27.6

Who is the best point guard in the NBA?1.Stephen Curry, Golden State – 63.3%2. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers – 20.0%3. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City – 10.0%4. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland – 6.7%Last year:Stephen Curry – 55.2%

Which player is the best passer?1. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers – 62.1%2. LeBron James, Cleveland – 20.7%3.Ricky Rubio, Minnesota – 10.3%Also receiving votes:Rajon Rondo, Chicago; Ben Simmons, PhiladelphiaLast year:Chris Paul – 71.4%

Which active player will make the best head coach someday?1. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers – 27.6%2.Jared Dudley, Phoenix – 10.3%
Ronnie Price, Oklahoma City – 10.3%4.Manu Ginobili, San Antonio – 6.9%
Jason Terry, Milwaukee – 6.9%Also receiving votes:Steve Blake; Matt Bonner; Avery Bradley, Boston; Stephen Curry, Golden State; Mike Dunleavy, Cleveland; Draymond Green, Golden State; Shaun Livingston, Golden State; T.J. McConnell, Philadelphia; Andre Miller; Mike Miller, Denver; Jameer Nelson, DenverLast year:Chris Paul – 25.0%

Which player is the best leader?1.LeBron James, Cleveland – 57.1%2. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers – 14.3%3.Stephen Curry, Golden State – 10.7%
Draymond Green, Golden State – 10.7%Also receiving votes:Tim Duncan; Dwyane Wade, ChicagoLast year:LeBron James – 44.6%

Which player has the best basketball IQ?1.LeBron James, Cleveland – 65.5%2. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers –24.1%3.Stephen Curry, Golden State – 6.9%4.Kyle Lowry, Toronto – 3.4%Last year:Chris Paul – 46.4%

Which player is best at moving without the ball?1.Klay Thompson, Golden State – 40.0%2.Kyle Korver, Atlanta – 30.0%3. J.J. Redick, L.A. Clippers – 16.7%4.Stephen Curry, Golden State – 6.7%Also receiving votes: Kevin Durant, Golden State; Dwyane Wade, ChicagoLast year:Kyle Korver – 69.0%

Which player is the best pure shooter?1.Stephen Curry, Golden State – 60.0%2. Klay Thompson, Golden State – 26.7%3. Kyle Korver, Atlanta – 10.0%4. J.J. Redick, L.A. Clippers – 3.3%Last year:Stephen Curry – 79.3%

What bench player makes the biggest impact when he enters the game?1. Jamal Crawford, L.A. Clippers – 46.7%2.Andre Iguodala, Golden State – 40.0%3. Zach Randolph, Memphis – 6.7%Also receiving votes: Mike Dunleavy, Cleveland; Manu Ginobili, San AntonioLast year:Andre Iguodala – 37.9%

Who is the best power forward in the NBA?1.Anthony Davis, New Orleans – 29.0%2. LeBron James, Cleveland – 19.4%3. Draymond Green, Golden State – 16.1%4.LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio – 12.9%
Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers – 12.9%6.Kevin Durant, Golden State – 9.7%Last year:Anthony Davis – 82.1%

Which head coach is the best manager/motivator of people?1.Gregg Popovich, San Antonio – 66.7%2. Steve Kerr, Golden State – 16.7%3.Brad Stevens, Boston – 6.7%Also receiving votes:Rick Carlisle, Dallas; Steve Clifford, Charlotte; Doc Rivers, L.A. ClippersLast year:Gregg Popovich – 48.3%

Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments?1.Rick Carlisle, Dallas – 41.4%2.Gregg Popovich, San Antonio – 31.0%3.Brad Stevens, Boston – 13.8%Also receiving votes:Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta; Doc Rivers, L.A. Clippers; Erik Spoelstra, Miami; Stan Van Gundy, DetroitLast year:Gregg Popovich – 37.9%

Who is the best assistant coach in the NBA?1.Ron Adams, Golden State – 37.9%2.Stephen Silas, Charlotte – 10.3%3.James Borrego, San Antonio – 6.9%
Dan Burke, Indiana – 6.9%Also receiving votes: J.B. Bickerstaff, Memphis; Larry Drew, Cleveland; Chip Engelland, San Antonio; Darren Erman, New Orleans; Tim Grgurich; Adrian Griffin, Oklahoma City; Ettore Messina, San Antonio; Nick Nurse, Toronto; Brian Shaw, L.A. Lakers; David Vanterpool, Portland; Mike Woodson, L.A. ClippersLast year:Ron Adams – 24.1%

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Jordan Voted Top Center In NBA.com Annual GM Survey

IRVINE, Calif. – Last season, the Clippers turned a middle-of-the-pack defense in 2014-15 into a top five unit after pick-and-roll changes made at the start of the year.

This season, most of the changes are coming at the other end.

After possessing the NBA’s top offense in 2013-14 and 2014-15, the Clippers ended last season No. 6 in offensive rating. Losing Blake Griffin played an obvious role, but head coach Doc Rivers still wants to see more movement from a group that’s consistently been one of the top offenses for years.

“When I say that, people think, ‘Well, you do move,’” Rivers said. “Then, little things like getting the ball across half court. We were 29th I think in just crossing half court. To think that we’re seventh in the league scoring and one of the last teams to get the ball past half court, we were playing with a low clock every single time down the floor.”

When Rivers talks about getting past half court, it’s less about pace and more about getting into the offense sooner.

“The year before, we did that, and we were No. 1 in offense,” Rivers said. “So, we have to get back to doing it.”

Griffin’s absence didn’t help in that regard, since it eliminated another ball-handler and someone else other than Chris Paul to bring the ball past half court and get into the offense.

“That may have been that,” Rivers said, “and then post cuts. We post the ball, but we never cut, so we have to do that better.”

Just two days into training camp, Rivers isn’t worried as much about figuring his new personnel out and the specific roles players will fill as he is about teaching. In this case, a lot of it is offensively.

And those changes are something Rivers said the older Clippers’ veterans who are used to doing things differently need to get used to.

“They’re so used to going back to their old ways,” Rivers said. “So, we have to get that down. We didn’t change much defensively, we just need to get off to a better start.”

Part of that might’ve been the adjustment it took to figure out the new defense and the time it took to fully grasp the pick-and-roll coverages, which kept DeAndre Jordan closer to the basket.

Despite a slow start, the moves paid off in the end. The Clippers tied with the Warriors and Celtics for the fourth best defensive rating in the league.

“The first 30 games we were awful,” Rivers said. “To make that type of run tells you we were really good, and we would like to start that way this year. If we can start the way we ended defensively, we’re going to be really good.”

To make that happen, Rivers believes it’s less on Jordan and the bigs and more on his backcourt.

“The guards have to get into the ball more,” Rivers said. “CP and Austin (Rivers), they’re naturally physical guards, so it wasn’t an issue for them, but everyone else it was. This year, they all have to do it.”

The Clippers hope the slight tweaks they make will become second-nature.

If last season’s any indication, that shouldn’t be much of a problem.

“I forgot we totally changed our defense last year,” Chris Paul said Wednesday. “So, it does feel like we came in this year with more understanding and knowing what we need to get better at. I feel like there’s a lot more conversation, guys know what to expect, we’re talking a lot more, and that comes with maturity and leadership.”

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Clippers Look To Add Movement To Offense

PLAYA VISTA, Calif. – Paul Pierce looked at the talent of the team around him and how he felt during his offseason workouts and finally made an ultimate decision on his future.

The 18-year NBA veteran would come back for a 19th and final season to try to help bring a title to the Clippers.

“I think as older players, once you see that drive fall off in the summer, then I think it's time to hang it up,” Pierce said. “Early in the summer, I really didn't feel like getting up, going to the gym, working out, but as the summer progressed and I thought about the year and I thought about the players, and I was like, last season kind of left a bad taste in my mouth with how it ended – how I played – so I just wanted to kind of go out on my own terms and have one more opportunity to win a championship with this group.”

Pierce said he believes these Clippers, in addition to having talent and a core that’s been together for years, understand one another. Recent heartbreaks, he believes, made the group stronger and ready to take the next step. In his words, “they’ve been through the trials and tribulations.”

“I think sometimes it takes that to get over the hump,” said Pierce, who’ll be 39 years old by the time the 2016-17 season rolls around. “I think, ‘Why not give it one more shot, especially the way we went out of the playoffs, the injuries?’ Obviously you've got to be good, you've got to be lucky, but I just want to just give it one more shot.”

Pierce said winning a championship home in Los Angeles for the Clippers “would be monumental,” and he thought about being a part of that.

“That's something that drove me from August, starting in August on,” Pierce said.

So, Pierce decided to return for one last run. And whatever happens in his final season, Pierce will go down as one of the best NBA players of all-time.

He’s the only active player with at least 25,000 points, 7,000 rebounds and 4,500 assists. He’s a 10-time NBA All-Star and former NBA champion and NBA Finals MVP. He’s fourth all-time in 3-pointers made, 15th all-time in games played and 16th all-time in points, still averaging 20 points per game for his career.

If Jamal Crawford had to relate the decorated forward to a rapper, there wasn’t much of a question.

“He's Snoop Dogg,” Crawford said. “He's the OG. He's seen it all, done it all, has all the experience, has all the knowledge. He's here to help lead us. Obviously, he's a champion. He's one of the best players to ever play basketball. So, we try to learn as much from him as possible, either on the court, off the court, whatever it might be.”

Pierce means as much to head coach Doc Rivers, who coached Pierce to his NBA title in Boston, as anyone on the Clippers. But Rivers knew this decision would inevitably come, and he likes the way Pierce is going about it.

“I like the way he's approaching it, especially mentally,” Rivers said. “So, it'll be a good ride. I'm glad I'm on the ride with him.”

And Pierce’s teammates hope it ends with a Clippers title.

“Obviously, we'd love for Paul to go out on top,” said Clippers guard Chris Paul. “That's the ultimate goal.”

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Pierce Explains Why He Decided On One More Year

Previous Breakdown: October/November | December | January | February | March

Clippers.com has 
    analyzed the schedule after its release earlier this month and
    also took a look at 10 of the biggest games for the coming season. Now, this
    latest series takes a closer look at the schedule with a monthly breakdown,
    moving on to February.

LOS ANGELES – To get the down time the Clippers have in January (12 games) and April (five games), concessions need to be made.

One of those is finding a way to truck through March, during which the Clippers play more games (18 total) and back-to-backs (five) than any other month of the season.

On the bright side, not many of the matchups are against teams who made the playoffs last season. Still, plenty of them are against fringe playoff teams from last year who could feasibly make a jump into postseason play this year.