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For so long, the strategy for the Los Angeles Clippers was to take big leaps by signing older superstars, no matter what the cost was. They tried it with Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Paul George, all at different times to no avail.
But now, they've made a change, and done so aggressively. By trading Ivica Zubac and Harden at the deadline last season they signaled a change in the direction of their franchise and a commitment to a rebuild, one they've kickstarted by adding Darius Garland and accumulating an abundance of draft picks.
Between Garland, Keaton Wagler, whom they drafted with the fifth-overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft that they acquired by trading Zubac, and their own homegrown players like Jordan Miller and Kobe Sanders, who both took massive leaps from G-League players to rostered role players at the NBA level, the Clippers have invested in a youth movement that will only grow.
LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) and LA Clippers forward John Collins (20) speak after a play against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Delta Center. Rob Gray-Imagn Images
The future will be full of change for the Clippers, but it's a future that the Los Angeles front office clearly believes in, as one executive said in a recent interview with Spotrac.
“Our team has trended older for a few years now. We started the retool towards youth last season. That continued this summer. It was important for us to retain Jordan [Miller] and Kobe [Sanders] because they’re guys we’ve developed. And we’re happy to have Brook (Lopez) and Kris [Dunn] and Derrick [Jones Jr.] and adding Rui [Hachimura] around as veterans too,” a Clippers front office executive said (via Spotrac).
Los Angeles Clippers guard Jordan Miller (22) moves the ball up court against the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Intuit Dome. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The executive also brought up an interesting point, which is the balance that the Clippers have to maintain between bringing in young players alongside other veterans.
A rebuilding team obviously wants to prioritize youth and the early seasons of this rebuild will be devoted to the new Clippers finding their fit with each other and developing their chemistry, but there do still have to be rostered veteran who can help guide those young players and help in their transitions as everyday players.
LA Clippers guard Kobe Sanders (center) dribbles against Sacramento Kings guard Daeqwon Plowden (left) during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
So far, the Clippers have achieved that balance and while the season has yet to begin and therefore this new squad is yet to be tested, there are is a surplus of talent and potential than likely will only grow with the coming years.
Next season won't be about the record book for the Clippers nearly as much as it will be about growth and experience for the young players and mentorship for the older players and that process will be the first step in what can become something great for Los Angeles.
The Clippers boldly changed the direction of their franchise and while it may take some time, they've already built the foundations of what can one day grow into a serious contender.
Continue reading...
But now, they've made a change, and done so aggressively. By trading Ivica Zubac and Harden at the deadline last season they signaled a change in the direction of their franchise and a commitment to a rebuild, one they've kickstarted by adding Darius Garland and accumulating an abundance of draft picks.
Between Garland, Keaton Wagler, whom they drafted with the fifth-overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft that they acquired by trading Zubac, and their own homegrown players like Jordan Miller and Kobe Sanders, who both took massive leaps from G-League players to rostered role players at the NBA level, the Clippers have invested in a youth movement that will only grow.
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LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) and LA Clippers forward John Collins (20) speak after a play against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Delta Center. Rob Gray-Imagn Images
The future will be full of change for the Clippers, but it's a future that the Los Angeles front office clearly believes in, as one executive said in a recent interview with Spotrac.
“Our team has trended older for a few years now. We started the retool towards youth last season. That continued this summer. It was important for us to retain Jordan [Miller] and Kobe [Sanders] because they’re guys we’ve developed. And we’re happy to have Brook (Lopez) and Kris [Dunn] and Derrick [Jones Jr.] and adding Rui [Hachimura] around as veterans too,” a Clippers front office executive said (via Spotrac).
You must be registered for see images attach
Los Angeles Clippers guard Jordan Miller (22) moves the ball up court against the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Intuit Dome. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The executive also brought up an interesting point, which is the balance that the Clippers have to maintain between bringing in young players alongside other veterans.
A rebuilding team obviously wants to prioritize youth and the early seasons of this rebuild will be devoted to the new Clippers finding their fit with each other and developing their chemistry, but there do still have to be rostered veteran who can help guide those young players and help in their transitions as everyday players.
You must be registered for see images attach
LA Clippers guard Kobe Sanders (center) dribbles against Sacramento Kings guard Daeqwon Plowden (left) during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
So far, the Clippers have achieved that balance and while the season has yet to begin and therefore this new squad is yet to be tested, there are is a surplus of talent and potential than likely will only grow with the coming years.
Next season won't be about the record book for the Clippers nearly as much as it will be about growth and experience for the young players and mentorship for the older players and that process will be the first step in what can become something great for Los Angeles.
The Clippers boldly changed the direction of their franchise and while it may take some time, they've already built the foundations of what can one day grow into a serious contender.
Continue reading...
