According to Crickex Affiliate, the Indiana Pacers are set to waive Daniel Theis, who is expected to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers once he clears waivers—a timely move to address the Clippers’ lack of interior presence. Theis, who played a crucial role as a starter in leading Germany to a FIBA World Cup title during the offseason, brings versatility as a 6’8″ center suited for small-ball lineups. He boasts a solid three-point shot, a dependable mid-range game, effective screen-setting, and aggressive defense, often battling fiercely in the paint.

While Theis leans more toward offense than defense, his awareness and execution in the key are commendable. He can comfortably play both the power forward and center positions. With the Clippers currently facing a critical shortage of frontcourt players—having traded away Batum, Covington, and Morris in the deal for James Harden, and with backup center Mason Plumlee sidelined—Coach Tyronn Lue is scrambling for reliable options. In their latest game, the team struggled down the stretch as Jokic dominated the paint unchecked, and even Eric Gordon capitalized at will near the rim, evaporating the Clippers’ lead in the final minutes.

Despite a last-gasp effort that could have tied the game, Paul George missed a crucial three-pointer, sealing a narrow defeat. With Harden now on board, the so-called “Four Stars” of the Clippers remain in choppy waters. Crickex Affiliate notes that the team’s struggles demand urgent tactical adjustments from Coach Lue, starting with resolving George’s contract extension. While Leonard’s max deal secures his postseason leadership, George may be looking for a long-term deal that offers stability, possibly at the expense of his on-court dominance.

Unlike Kawhi and the former Thunder duo, George seems prepared to sacrifice individual stats for team longevity. The Clippers need all their stars aligned in purpose and play. Westbrook, too, must adapt to more off-ball duties. His off-the-ball cuts against Denver were effective, showing that he could emulate Bruce Brown’s role from the Nuggets last season—driving energy off the bench and finishing plays decisively.

Meanwhile, Harden’s role also needs clarity. In the first half, the Clippers can let him play like the Houston version of himself, showcasing his ability to break defenders with crossovers and finish strong at the rim. Though not at his MVP peak, Crickex Affiliate analysts believe Harden can still dominate stretches of the game. The ideal structure might be for Harden to lead in the first half while Kawhi and George take over in the second.

But when it comes to crunch time, the Clippers must resist falling back on pure isolation. A simple Harden pick-and-roll could dismantle opposing defenses and simplify offensive execution. After all, when push comes to shove, teamwork makes the dream work—and that’s the only way this star-studded roster will find success.