From Behind Enemy Lines: Clippers vs. Kings (Kawhi Leonard vs. DeMar DeRozan)

[kht]

I debated whether or not to post this one but I feel like there are a lot of ties to the San Antonio Spurs among the two teams in recent years.

I was fortunate enough to get to cover the Kings vs. Clippers in the second to last game of the regular season as both teams try to improve their seedings headed into the playoffs.

Prior to the game, I got to meet former NBA journeyman and current LA Clippers broadcaster Jim Jackson.


Zach Lavine
Zach Lavine wanting out of Chicago basically saved the Spurs from having to pay a "King's" ransom for DeAaron Fox. With Lavine as the focal returning piece for the Kings, the Spurs didn't have to give up any current key players to acquire Fox. Lavine was also tied to the Spurs when DJ Murray was still on the team. Both players played for Washington in college.


Kawhi Leonard vs. DeMar DeRozan
This game also featured a matchup between DeMar DeRozan and Kawhi Leonard, two former Spurs legends who were traded for each other back in 2018.


Harrison Barnes
Additionally, Harrison Barnes played for the Kings last year and the Spurs got extra draft capital for taking Barnes' contract on. But I'm sure the Spurs would have loved to have a veteran like Barnes on the team regardless. Any compensation was just the icing on the cake.


Devin Carter
There were reports that the Spurs were high on Devin Carter and were targeting him with the 8th overall pick. In person, Devin Carter looks tiny on the court, and I didn't see a crazy long wingspan either to make up for the lack of size. Overall, he's very active on defense and looks to be a compatible scorer on offense as a rookie so far.