The Los Angeles Clippers have a pivotal offseason and free agency ahead of them. A seemingly guaranteed title contender that formed in 2019 with the signing of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard is at the cusp of falling apart, with George’s potential departure this offseason. Yet, there are so many former stars who have sacrificed money and stats to be on this team and to win a ring. Do the Clippers blow everything up, or do they retool to contend for another season? Let’s break down their options.
2024 NBA Off-Season Preview: What’s Next For The Los Angeles Clippers?
Season Recap
The Clippers regular season would undoubtedly be considered a success. The team finished 51-31, good for the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, they lost in the first round to the 5th-seeded Dallas Mavericks, who would advance all the way to the NBA Finals. The team had a talented roster; Russell Westbrook signed midway through the 2022-23 season, and the 2023-24 was his first full year with the team, and a productive one at that. James Harden was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers at the start of the season, and he proved to be productive with the team as well. However, the lack of Kawhi Leonard‘s availability and the lack of rings won by the team’s core as a total raised some eyebrows, and for good reason.
If the team continues with the same core, the regular season won’t be a problem. Rather, it’s the playoffs that this team needs to build for, as they chase their ultimate goal of a championship. Everyone needs to be healthy, and willing to sacrifice to make it to the NBA Finals. However, keeping everyone is expensive, especially with the new CBA. This offseason will let us know if the Clippers still have aspirations to be a contender, or if they’re ready to go in a different direction.
Projected Cap Space and Draft Picks
- None
The Clippers have no available cap space. However, they can go into the first luxury tax apron in order to resign Paul George and/or James Harden, if needed. This offseason is really going to center around if the Clippers are able to resign George, and Harden as well. Harden is accustomed to making tens of millions of dollars, and with the role he plays for the Clippers, the team can’t justify paying him what he used to make. It’s a likely possibility that he leaves in free agency in exchange for more money.
Draft Picks
The Clippers had a single draft pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and that was pick number 46. With the 46th pick, they drafted Cam Christie, brother of Max Christie (a player for the Los Angeles Lakers). The Clippers have traded away a lot of draft picks in recent years, but if they keep their second-round pick around, it could add added hype in games against the Lakers.
Clippers Pending Free Agents and Possible Departures
Free Agents
- James Harden (Unrestricted)
- Paul George (Unrestricted)
- Brandon Boston (Unrestricted)
Two other important players to note are Westbrook and P.J. Tucker. Westbrook just exercised his $4 million player option to stay with the Clippers, so he’ll be back for the 2024-25 season. The same goes for Tucker, who exercised his $11 million player option to stay with the team. With that, the Clippers have two core members of their roster back for the upcoming season.
The Clippers could have kept Boston Jr if they wanted to, but they didn’t extend him a qualifying offer, meaning he will join unrestricted free agency. This paves the way for Christie to make an impact, if he’s ready and proves himself worthy.
George is really the key, however. If they lose Harden, so be it; Westbrook and Bones Hyland can run the offense. However, without George, the team can’t be taken seriously as a championship contender. Starting Sunday evening (June 30th), George is going to be meeting with three teams about his free agency: the Clippers, Magic, and 76ers. He’ll likely sign with one of those three teams, and the Clippers need to do everything in their power to make sure that they’re the team. That means offering him the money he wants and paying the luxury tax that comes along with it. Still, if they’re serious about competing, that’s a sacrifice they’ll have to make.
Realistic Offseason Targets
With the possible departure of Harden, it will be important to have another trustworthy ball handler. As good as Westbrook is, he’s good for limited spurts, not for entire games. Getting Jones would be a home run; he has the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the entire NBA and isn’t a bad shooter either. Melton is another guard who can shoot the three well and run plays for the team.
If George leaves, then Harris would be a good addition to the team, assuming they can get him for cheaper than his last contract. Harris played for the Clippers previously, and is a similar player to George: a 3 and D wing who can create his own shot. Lastly, Smith would be an intriguing pickup, as he’s a solid big man who could anchor the paint and swap minutes with Ivica Zubac.
Trade Pieces: None
By opting out of his player option, George made it impossible for the Clippers to trade him to his preferred destination, if he doesn’t resign. That means the team will lose him for nothing if he signs with the Magic or 76ers. Harden is also an unrestricted free agent, meaning he can’t be traded. The only way the Clippers make a blockbuster trade is if they decide to blow up their whole team, and trade Leonard. Short of that, however, the Clippers aren’t in a position to make a blockbuster trade, or many trades at all. Filling out their roster will come from young guys who come cheap or veterans on the buyout market. There are always good veterans out there willing to compete for a championship; if the Clippers find a few who will come cheap, it could bolster their roster.
Summary
The Clippers are in a somewhat precarious position. If George signs elsewhere, then they aren’t real championship contenders. If he resigns, then they are definitely overpaying, especially since George’s and Leonard’s window to win championships will have closed by the end of their contracts. However, they’ll at least have a few more years of being a good playoff team and chasing a Finals appearance.
Keep your eyes on George. Where he goes will likely signify if the Clippers are running it back to compete, or if it’s almost time for a rebuild to commence.
