30 days/30 teams: Los Angeles Clippers

Seasons pass and the same refrain takes hold among the Clippers. The franchise from Los Angeles had a satisfactory season, the 14th in a row with a positive result. Not bad for a former “loose franchise” in American sports.

But that’s not enough, given the lofty goals, which once again collided in the first round of the playoffs as they have since 2023. The Clippers had a great battle with the Nuggets, losing only in Game 7 to a team that itself pushed the eventual champions, the Thunder, to the limit.

Again, the Clippers weren’t that far off, and California’s leaders still believe in their group. Spine James Harden – Kawhi Leonard stays put, and always as a team leader. And the two All-Stars won’t be alone in hoping to make a mark in the West, a year after the loss of Paul George.

Los Angeles certainly had to let go of Norman Powell, author of the best season of his career last season. But four players who are expected to be important arrived during the offseason. Bradley Beal will try to get back on track after two very complicated seasons in Phoenix. He could find a starting role again, especially next John Collinswho will find a competitive context after two unchallenged seasons in Utah.

Already well experienced, especially with the extension Nicholas BatumThe Clippers added another layer by repatriating Chris Paul40 years old and who will compete in his 21st season, and Brooke Lopez (37 years old) who also finds Los Angeles, this time on the side of the Clippers.

Sometimes a little limited in depth, workforce Tyronn Lue is now full of players capable of making a good contribution to the season. Could this really be enough to finally move into the final stage?

SUMMER MOVEMENTS

arrivals: Bradley Beal, John Collins, Yannick Conan Niederhauser (draft), Brooke Lopez, Chris Paul, Kobe Sanders (draft, two-way)

Departures: Amir Coffey, Drew Eubanks, Seth Lundy, Patty Mills, Norman Powell, Ben Simmons

PLAYER FOLLOWING HER: KAWHI LEONARD

Which Kawhi Leonard will the Clippers have on hand? One capable of sustaining an intense playoff run through seven games at 38 minutes per game while being All-Star caliber (25 points on 53.7%, 7.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists)? Or one that is available on an occasional basis, only able to be worn for half a season?

At 34, time flies, especially for a player who has been so unsustainable for years. If his legend is no longer being written, his adventure with the Clippers is currently reduced to the 2021 conference finals and the 2020 conference semifinals as the “long” playoff route.

The scandal surrounding his sponsorship deal doesn’t seem to be disrupting the preseason so far, or even that of the Clippers, who are holding back. But the fallout from this case could be another important element of “The Klav” season. At least Kawhi Leonard spent the summer without health problems and should start the season in good shape. This is already a positive sign and cause for encouragement for the Clippers.

Average age: 29.6 years

Mass Salary: 207.8 million (9th)

IDEAL SCENARIO

This isn’t the last title shot for these Clippers, but it’s starting to look like it. Los Angeles bet on experience to try for the last position project around Kawhi Leonard.

With its two leaders in the second half of their careers (37 years James Harden, 34 Kawhi Leonard) and fragile, the franchise can no longer afford to wait if it wants to join the fight for the title. The end of last season with a full roster (18 wins – 3 losses to finish the regular season) is a good reminder of what these Clippers are capable of when they play at full steam…

Thicker with its eleven experienced players, the team seems better able to absorb blows and adapt to the opposition. The racket in particular has undergone an interesting facelift with John Collins and Brooke Lopez in support Ivica Zubacoutstanding last season.

And while the lack of outside threats was felt in the playoffs with Kris Dunn leaving the Nuggets wide open, the signings of Bradley Beal, or even Chris Paul, will be able to free up little James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. If there’s ever an opportunity to go all the way, this could be it for the Clippers.

WORST SCENARIO

More experienced, these clippers are. And older, and it could pay off. Tyronn Lue’s team hasn’t been the fastest in the league, far from it (22nd pace) and could suffer against teams that like to push the pace, or are more athletic. It hasn’t been felt so far, with the No. 3 defensive rating in the entire NBA in 2024/25. Will it be the same with Beal, a decent defender at best, and Chris Paul, who is no longer in his 20s (or even 30s)?

Los Angeles has only one priority to keep in mind anyway: getting its two main players fresh and fit for the playoffs, and if possible finish out the regular season as much as possible.

Which in the case of Kawhi Leonard looks like a utopia, let’s say an optimistic scenario for James Harden. But there are no guarantees, while Bradley Beal, the team’s a priori third option, has played just 53 games over the past two seasons. Even with strong men, the density of the West makes the Clippers underdogs. Without them, it would seem like an impossible mission and could mean the end of an era.

James Harden (“player option”), Bradley Beal (“player option”), John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic (“team option”), Brook Lopez (“team option”), Nicolas Batum (“team option”), Kris Dunn (“team option”) and Chris Paul have just one year left on their guaranteed contracts. And the summer of 2026 could be a major cleanup in Inglewood…