After losing Spencer Hawes in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets to land Lance Stephenson, the Los Angeles Clippers were without a backup center till they signed Cole Aldrich. It wasn’t just a desperate signing to complete their roster, though, because Aldrich can have the kind of defensive impact that Hawes never could. And that’s exactly what the Clippers need more than anything else: defense.
This season, they ranked just 15th in defensive efficiency and 16th in rebounding rate. And whilst their league leading offense made up for their average performance at the other end of the floor, it’s still the fundamental aspect of their team that needed immediate attention.