Five seasons since signing Kawhi Leonard and acquiring Paul George, the Los Angeles Clippers have failed to advance past the second round four times. Only making the conference finals once back in 2021. While injuries have played a significant role in the Clippers’ playoff shortcomings, there’s no denying their playoff disappointments have been frequent. With another flameout in 2024, L.A.’s future is in serious question. Their superstars have been in trade talks since the moment the clock hit all zeros in their first-round matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.
Los Angeles Clippers: Former NBA All-Star Urges to Blow It Up
The Los Angeles Clippers Had Dynastic Expectations
In 2019, a new era was born in Los Angeles, as the Clippers acquired both Leonard and George in the off-season. Just a few years after their Lob City group was broken up, the Clippers were now not only in title contention but were the preseason title favorite with +425 odds to win the 2020 NBA championship. At first, it looked amazing. The Clippers were as good as advertised with their new duo. When Leonard and George played together during the 2019-20 regular season, L.A. was 27-10. The following season, Leonard and George had a 32-11 record when they played together.
But in 2021, Leonard went down with a torn ACL in the middle of L.A.’s playoff run. He missed the entire 2021-22 season. In the 2023 and 2024 postseasons, Leonard was basically a no-show: he suited up for just two games in each series as he was battling injuries both years. The L.A. Clippers are in an interesting position. They just finished a season where they dealt with a multitude of changes, having to integrate James Harden into their rotation just a few games into the season all while managing the health of their star players who were beginning to hit the age wall.
Time to Trade Their Superstars?
After another quick playoff exit, though, the Clippers might not be satisfied with running back the roster in 2024-25. Free agency may force some changes anyway.
With George likely entering free agency this off-season, the Clippers have some serious decisions to make. That’s not to mention PJ Tucker ($11.5 million) and Russell Westbrook ($4 million) who also have player options. Tucker will opt in while Westbrook could go either way. Currently, the Clippers are looking at a $172 million luxury tax hole and are approaching the first apron tax penalty. This leaves LA limited to minimum contracts this summer. Any reasonable route to the $12.9 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
According to former NBA superstar Gilbert Arenas, L.A. trying to salvage their current situation is a risk not worth taking.
“We done with it, let’s move on,” Arenas said of the Clippers roster. “We good. Let’s get some new players in here. Let’s freshen it up. That’s what I mean. We’re done with this experiment.
For most franchises, spending five or six seasons with the same core of stars is enough to decide between pass or fail. For the Clippers, they may be the most disappointing team of the last five years. With the Clippers introducing their new arena soon, owner Steve Ballmer has said in the past that the franchise wants to kick off their new home with a splash. Could this mean that L.A. has everyone on the table for a trade?
