I don't think people realize how much Jordan not coming back screws LAC in terms of their cap and roster. They have about 2M TOTAL in exceptions (+vet mins) to get a starting and b/u C, unless you think their Ekpe Udoh is the answer. Doc traded away Big (Hawes) for Small (Stephenson), used most of the MLE for Pierce (not a big), they have 8 players under contract and 2M more to spend. Even their FAs (Hedo, Hamilton, Dahntay) are SFs. They have a shot right now at Blake Griffin being the only guy over 6'8 on the roster, except for vet min signings.
Doc Rivers is nudging into Billy King Zone. Of course they're going to panic and pull desperation moves. Checkers, not chess