Season 2023-24: 51-31
Highlight of the season: The Clippers looked like a legitimate championship contender when they went 26-5 over a two-month period, highlighted by the play of their star trio of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and James Harden, who all seemed to have accepted their roles. Health also seemed to remain consistent around that time, making Clippers fans dream big.
How it ended
Because it always seems to end for the Clippers one way or another. The team began to work around the All-Star break and by the end of March Leonard was out of commission, forcing George and Harden into bigger roles, which ultimately proved unsuccessful. Leonard made a valiant effort to get back into the playoffs, playing Games 2 and 3 in the Clippers’ first-round series against Dallas, but never quite looked right.
Harden, who actively wanted to be traded to the Clippers from Philadelphia, collapsed in the final 19 games of the regular season, averaging just 13.5 points while shooting 36.4% from the floor. He made up for it with a great performance in the series against Dallas, but his aforementioned poor play, combined with the fact that he will turn 35 before the start of next season, likely means Clippers officials will only offer the soon-to-be free agent against a want the price back. that benefits them.
The situation with George is also full of question marks. After the Clippers extended Leonard’s contract in January, most expected George to follow suit, but so far nothing has materialized. George has a $48.7 million player option for the 2024-25 season, and his contract status seemed to cast a shadow over the organization for a significant portion of the season.
While the big names will steal most of the headlines, the Clippers got quality production from Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac all season long. Powell, the team’s regular sixth man, saw his raw scoring numbers drop (from 17 points last season to 13.9 this year) with the addition of Harden, but that significantly increased his efficiency. Powell was the team’s most productive three-point shooter, hitting 43.5% of his 5.1 nightly attempts.
Zubac remained the Clippers’ most consistent big man, as has been the case for a few seasons. The 27-year-old played some of the best ball of his career, increasing his scoring (11.7 ppg), decreasing his turnovers and becoming one of the most efficient interior scorers in the league. His immediate connection with Harden, as well as his immediate acceptance of his offensive role, allowed him to grow within his own space.
The Clippers are going to have a tough summer. Needless to say, they are extremely talented, but health and age seem to be working against them. Not a single player under the age of 25 played in their rotation, and even if they lose both Harden and George to free agency, they won’t have much financial flexibility to make up for it.
Greatest need out of season
Assuming Harden and George stay this summer — and that’s a big assumption — the Clippers need better and younger bench depth. Russell Westbrook’s backup point guard play has been uninspiring all year, and the organization clearly doesn’t trust Bones Hyland to make a dent. If that is the case, the franchise must immediately find alternative options.
Concept focus
There are a lot of veteran players on the Clippers, and they have one second-round pick this year. Colorado point guard KJ Simpson could come in right away as a backup point guard for Westbrook, or they could pick up a younger player for development like 6-foot-9 guard Trentyn Flowers (Adelaide 36ers in the NBL) or 6-7 guard A.J. Johnson (Illuwara Hawks in the NBL). –Kristen Peek
Projected draft pick (pre-lottery): No. 46
Salary cap breakdown
With Leonard, Powell, Zubac and Terance Mann on the hook for more than $91 million, that’s before factoring in George’s unknown status and Harden’s $53.4 million cap hold, the Clippers are certainly not expected to will have cap space.
While Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has always been very open-minded about spending big on the roster, there are concerns about locking up both George and Harden to deals that are too rich for too long considering their ages. Expect the Clippers to offer shorter team deals for both.
Keyless agents
James Harden (UFA)
Possibly Paul George (UFA)
Next season’s goal
Same as last year: win the NBA championship. When a team has committed themselves financially to this extent to compete, and made as many draft picks as they have, you don’t have to wait for tomorrow. Every season the Clippers don’t win the trophy, they have failed. If both Harden and George are back, the goal remains the same.
What can move the fantasy needle
Fantasy managers scored an unexpected victory when Leonard, George and Harden played in more than 68 games this year. All three were great values ​​relative to their ADP, but can they be trusted? Leonard’s knee is working again, so he hasn’t shaken off his injury risk yet. And there is more.
Leonard and Norman Powell are the only notable fantasy players under contract after 2025. Harden is an unrestricted free agent looking for a new deal, and George will likely opt out of his contract.
Zubac is having his best season and seems safe with no competition in the frontcourt at the moment. But with this team’s stars in so much flux, a lot could change this offseason. – Dan Titus
