The Los Angeles Clippers have been seen as contenders for the last few years, but they have come up short each time. The Clippers roster has gone through a major facelift this offseason. So, expectations for the Clippers would seemingly not be as high. However, that doesn’t appear to be the case.
Los Angeles Clippers Pretenders or Contenders In 2024-25, One NBA Owner Believes The Latter
Los Angeles arguably had its best team last season, and certainly, its most healthy in years. The Clippers went 51-31 and claimed the Pacific division title. While last season marked the Clippers’ 13th straight winning campaign, it was their first 50-win season in seven years and their first division title since 2013-14.
But once again, LA fizzled in the playoffs. The Clippers, without injured Kawhi Leonard, fell in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs in six games. It was the Clippers’ second straight first-round exit and the sixth time they have not gotten past the opening round in 11 playoffs during this stretch. They have only reached the Western Conference Finals once in their history.
The Clippers lost Paul George and two of their backup bigs in free agency—Miles Plumlee and Daniel Theis—and recently dealt away Russell Westbrook.
Los Angeles was active in the offseason. The Clippers re-signed James Harden, brought in Derrick Jones Jr., Kris Dunn, Mo Bamba, Nic Batum, and Kevin Porter Jr., and drafted Cam Christie in the second round.
Where Are The Clippers Projected To Finish?
As a result of these moves, DraftKings, bet365, and BetMGM have the Clippers’ win total at just 41.5. Meanwhile, FanDuel has the Clippers win total set at 40.5.
So, basically, the Clippers are a team that is expected to battle for a Play-In spot, according to the sportsbooks. New Orleans earned the ninth seed in 2021-22 with 36 victories. In 2023, the Pelicans were the ninth seed in the Western Conference with 42 victories, and Oklahoma City was 10th with 40 wins.
The Western Conference’s ninth and 10th seeds this past season were the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. Both of these squads finished with a 46-36 record.
Despite these prognostications and George’s departure from LA, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, per NBA Insider Mark Medina, believes the Clippers are still title contenders.
“We still have two Hall of Famers… most people will be salivating to have two guys like that on their team.”
2011-12 was the last time that the Clippers won fewer than 42 games.
Last Word On The Clippers
Los Angeles has had a great run over the last 13 years. The Clippers have won 697 during this stretch, winning three division crowns and made the playoffs 11 times.
I don’t believe that the Clippers are NBA title contenders at this point, and they may not be until Leonard and Harden are gone. Leonard can’t stay healthy, and Harden hasn’t reached the conference finals since 2018 with Houston.
Harden will be 35 in August, and Leonard is 33. The NBA is a young guy’s game today. Kareem Abdul-Jabar is the oldest player to win an NBA title while having a major role at 4o, and only seven others have done so at 37. Besides, the West is stacked once again.
The Thunder and the Pelicans have gotten better. Minnesota returned its core four players, while Dallas added Klay Thompson. Memphis is also expected to be a problem, with Ja Morant slated to play the entire season.
I do like what the Clippers have done. They have gotten younger and more athletic.
However, the Clippers season depends on Leonard’s health and whether Harden can bounce back from his worst season since 201-12. The Clippers are 154-75 in games that Leonard has played in since arriving in Hollywood in 2019.
If Leonard can’t stay healthy and things start badly, the Clippers have a way out. That wouldn’t have been the case if they had re-signed George.
Los Angeles is over the tax, but the Clippers are $4.6 million below the first apron. P.J. Tucker, Ivica Zubac, and Terrence Mann are on tradeable expiring contracts. That is if Zubac and Mann don’t sign extensions.
