After a stunning 50- 32 season and a hard-fought seven-game collection towards the defending champion Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Clippers appeared poised to remain within the playoff combine regardless of main roster modifications. With Paul George gone to the 76ers and Kawhi Leonard recovering from harm till January, expectations had been low, however Harden, Leonard (upon return), and an elite protection proved doubters unsuitable.
Subsequently, the Clippers then entered the 2025 offseason with momentum, flexibility, and ambition. They made large strikes, signing Brook Lopez to bolster their frontcourt depth and buying John Collins in a three-team commerce involving Norman Powell. The plan? Reload and go once more. However in all the thrill and exercise, LA made one essential mistake.
The largest mistake within the free company: Buying and selling Norman Powell with out a alternative
Whereas John Collins provides vitality, rebounding, and athleticism on the ahead spot, transferring on from Norman Powell, who had a breakout 12 months at age 31, left a evident gap within the backcourt. With no speedy alternative secured, the Clippers have left themselves skinny on guard depth behind James Harden.
John Collins has turn out to be a highly regarded commerce goal amongst Clippers followers, bringing athleticism and defensive versatility on the 4 spot.
He averaged 18.9 PPG and eight.2 RPG in 40 video games for the Jazz final season.
Ought to the Clippers make Collins precedence No. 1 this offseason? What… pic.twitter.com/vKqbGhjVJ0
— SleeperClippers (@SleeperClippers) Might 26, 2025
Powell was one in every of LA’s most constant shot-creators final season, thriving each on and off the ball. He averaged career-high effectivity numbers and gave the Clippers much-needed scoring pop when Leonard or Harden sat. Dropping him with out a stable secondary ball-handler already onboard may backfire if their present targets fall by.
How they’ll repair it: Land Bradley Beal and persuade Chris Paul to just accept a lowered function
Studies point out the Clippers are pursuing Bradley Beal, who’s awaiting a buyout from Phoenix, and Chris Paul, who’s weighing his choices after a full 82-game marketing campaign with San Antonio.
Bradley Beal or bust: The Clippers’ free company gamble
Beal struggled in Phoenix, however not as a consequence of a decline in expertise. It was a misfit within the system and personnel. In LA, he’d slot in completely alongside Harden, surrounded by defenders who can cowl for him and a coach who emphasizes construction and spacing. Beal’s scoring instincts, expertise, and gravity would instantly revive what Powell introduced, and arguably add extra upside.
Chris Paul’s choice may make or break LA’s title hopes
Paul’s need to begin could complicate issues. But when the Clippers can persuade him to take a sixth-man/playmaker function, his regular hand and ties to the franchise’s most iconic period may function a tradition enhance. Paul stays one of many smartest gamers within the league, and backing up Harden may lengthen his profession – and enhance LA’s second-unit productiveness.
Chris Paul is extra more likely to signal with the LA Clippers than the Phoenix Suns after the Norman Powell commerce, per @ramonashelburne.
Shelburne additionally hints at the opportunity of the Clippers signing BOTH Bradley Beal and Chris Paul. pic.twitter.com/iz5bGB1gPL
— APHoops (@APH00PS) July 9, 2025
The Clippers have the cap area. The chance is actual. However time is ticking, and with out guard reinforcements, all of the frontcourt reshuffling gained’t matter come playoff time.
“Though each the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers have been talked about as suitors for Paul this summer season, rival groups count on both the Phoenix Suns or Los Angeles Clippers to signal Paul,” Siegel reported. “Cash may wind up turning into the final word think about Paul’s choice, as Bradley Beal’s upcoming buyout scenario with the Suns should play out first earlier than the long run Corridor of Fame level guard decides on his subsequent contract.”
Key gamers re-signed within the 2025 free company
Nicholas Batum, after declining his $4.9 M participant possibility, the 36-year-old wing re-signed with the Clippers on a two-year, $11.5 million deal, together with a crew possibility for the second 12 months and a commerce kicker. As well as, James Harden declined a $36.3 M participant possibility and dedicated to a two-year, $81.5 million contract, with a participant possibility and partial assure in Yr 2. The contract is structured with roughly $39.2 M in base wage for 2025–26.
In the meantime, the 20-year-old ahead Trentyn Flowers, who noticed restricted time (1.8 PPG in six video games), was retained on a one‑12 months two‑method contract. He represents a low-cost, high-upside developmental piece. The 2-way deal preserves flexibility whereas permitting the Clippers to watch his development and maybe faucet into his scoring skills throughout harm stretches.
However at this level, expertise is expertise, and the Clippers’ roster is about to be very stacked in the event that they handle to drag off each signings. They’re a minimum of assured that some type of guard assistance is coming, particularly after buying and selling Norman Powell away within the deal that introduced again John Collins.
Time is operating out on the Kawhi Leonard and James Harden core, so the Clippers entrance workplace is solely doing what it should to place collectively the very best roster potential round these two.