James Harden and Kawhi Leonard have a slew of new teammates in place of Paul George.
Offseason
- Re-signings: James Harden, Ivica Zubac
- Additions: Mo Bamba (free agent), Nicolas Batum (free agent), Kris Dunn (trade), Derrick Jones Jr. (free agent), Kevin Porter Jr. (free agent)
- Draft: Cam Christie (No. 46 pick)
- Departures: Paul George (to 76ers), Mason Plumlee (to Suns), Daniel Theis (to Pelicans), Russell Westbrook (to Nuggets)
- Unsigned Free Agents: Brandon Boston Jr., Kai Jones, Xavier Moon
Last season
Health led to better wealth as the Clippers finally received a clean slate from Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The result was a 51-win season. Harden’s arrival was also a big factor, and when the playoffs began, the Clippers had three shot-creators who could win games.
Then Leonard pulled up lame after two playoff games and it all came crashing down. The Clippers were a first-round ouster, winning only one game against the Mavs, and the feeling of being snake-bitten returned for this franchise, along with a sense of weariness.
Summer summary
Negotiations between George and the Clippers didn’t go as smoothly as Leonard and the Clippers as the latter’s contract extension was done in January. Given that the five-year Leonard-and-George experiment didn’t produce a trip to the NBA Finals, the Clippers decided to keep a more flexible future instead. So George chose the Sixers and left the franchise scrambling to replace him.
Which, of course, they never did. The Clippers went the piecemeal route, adding a batch of role players to compensate for losing a star. Jones is the best of the bunch as he’s a springy, defensive-minded wing who can at least match George on that end of the floor.
Rookie Profile
Introducing Cam Christie of the LA Clippers, the No. 46 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Spotlight on
There was never any question about Kevin Porter Jr.’s basketball ability. The talent is there, if a bit unrefined. But what about his maturity? He has been booted from every team he ever played for, dating back to high school, for various incidents, the latest being the Rockets. The Clippers took some heat for signing him following a domestic incident.
How far can the Clippers go?
As they break in the franchise’s new digs, the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, the Clippers would love to give their fans a team that fits the stylistic surroundings. By all accounts, the Dome will be a winner. What about the team occupying it?
The LA Clippers celebrate the grand opening of the Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Oct. 23 with a game against the Suns.
Well, that depends first and foremost on Leonard’s health. He was a scratch from the 2024 Olympic team because of red flags. Aside from that, Harden must assume more scoring with George gone and you wonder how much of the Houston Harden he can recapture. All signs point toward a team that can compete for the playoffs, but the Clippers will ask a lot from a group of role players to go further.
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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