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The Clippers remain in a holding pattern this offseason, taking their time before committing to free agents — other than Nic Batum, who had more pressing matters at hand and couldn’t afford to wait.
That’s fine for the NBA roster, since training camp doesn’t start until late September. But Las Vegas Summer League is almost ready to tip off, and that means we have at least one finalized Clippers roster, even if there may be some late additions to this one.
Here are the players who will be suiting up for the Clippers during Summer League:
2021 LA Clippers Summer League Roster
| Player | Position | Height | Weight | DOB | College | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Position | Height | Weight | DOB | College | Years |
| Brandon Boston Jr. | G | 6'6 | 188 | 11/28/2001 | Kentucky | R |
| Amir Coffey | G/F | 6'7 | 210 | 6/17/1997 | Minnesota | 2 |
| Lydell Elmore | F | 6’9 | 189 | 1/1/1998 | High Point | R |
| Jordan Ford | G | 6'1 | 175 | 5/26/1998 | St. Mary's | 1 |
| Isaiah Hicks | F | 6'8 | 233 | 7/24/1994 | North Carolina | 4 |
| Keon Johnson | G | 6'4 | 184 | 3/10/2002 | Tennessee | R |
| Daniel Oturu | C | 6'8 | 240 | 9/20/1999 | Minnesota | 1 |
| Jason Preston | G | 6’4 | 187 | 8/10/1999 | Ohio | R |
| Kerwin Roach II | G | 6'4 | 180 | 10/24/1996 | Texas | 2 |
| Jay Scrubb | G | 6'5 | 220 | 9/1/2000 | John A. Logan | 1 |
| Kaleb Wesson | F | 6’10 | 252 | 7/27/1999 | Ohio State | 1 |
The obvious players are the 2020 and 2021 draft picks: Daniel Oturu, Jay Scrubb, Keon Johnson, and Jason Preston. BJ Boston is expected to join the team once the Clippers can officially buy the 51st pick in the draft; that transaction is still being held up until the legal completion of the New Orleans/Memphis trade that sent Jonas Valanciunas to the Pelicans.
Amir Coffey is a slightly surprising addition. He is a restricted free agent, and third-year players don’t often compete in Summer League. However, Coffey didn’t get this opportunity last year, and without a true G League season in 2020-21, he just needs the minutes.
Of the remaining five players, only Jordan Ford was a previous member of the Agua Caliente Clippers. Ford will not be joined by his former college teammate Malik Fitts, who earned a 10-day with the Clippers last year after playing in the G League bubble.
The Clippers are slated to play at least four games before the knockout stages of the Summer League. Mark your calendars:
- Monday, Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. vs Milwaukee on ESPNU
- Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 8 p.m. vs. Portland on ESPNU
- Friday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. vs. Lakers on NBA TV
- Sunday, Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. vs. Utah on ESPN2
The team will be coached by Jeremy Castleberry, who has been a Clippers assistant for the past two seasons and was the lone assistant to survive the transition from Doc Rivers to Ty Lue. Having Kawhi Leonard in your corner provides some job security. This is Castleberry’s first time as a head coach.
Enjoy your first looks at Johnson, Preston, and Boston. Clippers basketball is almost back.
More news for Friday:
- Jason Preston let slip in his first media availability of Summer League that Reggie Jackson has been working out at the Clippers practice facility, which augurs well for Jackson’s eventual re-signing.
- Owen Phillips grades NBA mock drafts.
- Mirjam Swanson outlines Castleberry’s Summer League goals.
- Andrew Greif gets into what Johnson and Preston are hoping to prove.
- With most of free agency complete (cough, cough Clippers), John Hollinger previews the trade market.