6 Playoff teams that could steal Saddiq Bey away from Hawks in free agency

6) Los Angeles Clippers could use Saddiq Bey to take pressure off Kawhi Leonard

The Los Angeles Clippers are the only team on this list – aside from the Hawks – that would lurch into the luxury tax for 2024-25 by using the full NTMLE on a player such as Bey. 

The Clippers are also arguably the only team whose owner might not care about that.

Bey’s playing style is diametrically opposed to that of Clippers star Kawhi Leonard. But that may not be as important as keeping Kawhi Leonard healthy for the postseason after he had another truncated due to injury this year.

The Clippers have made the playoffs in four of Leonard’s five seasons playing for his hometown team. He has been unable to finish each of the last three.

There is a significant caveat here.

Both Paul George and James Harden would have to leave the Clippers in free agency this offseason. In that scenario, it is unclear if Bey is the type of target the Clipper would look to retool with.

But his durability – Bey played in at least 70 games in each of his first three seasons – could prove invaluable as the Clippers navigate Leonard’s balky knee for the duration of his tenure.

The Clippers have also lost in the first round of the playoffs in each of the last two years. 

That could motivate them to figure out a solution lest they risk upsetting Leonard, whom they’ve catered to since his arrival. Bey could be a part of that plan too, pitched as a safety valve and replacement when Leonard needs a break or a night off.