Clippers 2026 NBA trade deadline rating after 3 deals

Just when it looked like it was Los Angeles Clippers when they righted the ship, they decided to turn around. Before the trade deadline, The Clippers, after months of rejecting overtures for a few of their best players, hit a reset button of sorts, trading for nailed down starters, James Harden and Ivica Zubacfor the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers, respectively.

The chemistry and production of Harden and Zubac during the 2024-25 season was the lifeblood of the Clippers’ 50-win campaign. And now, the two are poised to win the Eastern Conference, and Harden wants to compete for a title as soon as this season with a rejuvenated Cavs.

Considering the Clippers’ current circumstances, a reset was coming anyway. Harden and Kawhi Leonard were trending toward the older side, with the former in his mid-to-late 30s. Their 6-21 start to the season suggested there was little room for error for the Clippersand that a month’s worth of hot play isn’t enough to change their outlook for the next few seasons.

But have the Clippers done well in the deals they’ve made? Here are the grades for each Los Angeles trade before giving them an overall grade for how they did for the entire trade deadline.

The Clippers are trading the veteran point guard for the oft-injured 26-year-old star

The Clippers get: Darius Garland2026 second round pick

Cavs Takeover: James Harden

It was in the middle of the Clippers’ matchup against the Phoenix Suns last week that the startling news of the trade development between LA and Cleveland came to light. The timing of it all seemed rather strange; why would harden be looking for a trade now that the clippers have been playing better basketball?

Harden later denied asking for a tradebut there’s no doubt that he was able to land with the Cavs — a perfect situation for him. He doesn’t have to carry such a heavy workload for the Cavs, which could likely leave him fresher for the playoffs.

As for the Clippers, the original rumor was that the Cavs were looking for a future first-round pick in order to agree to a point guard trade. This was rather pointless; Harden, even though he’s 36 years old, still averages 25 and eight a night. He was more productive and healthier than Garland this season.

THE is well documented issues of future draft picks. They owe their 2026 and 2028 picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers. They owe pick trades to the same teams in 2027 and 2029 (also). They can only trade their 2031 and 2032 first-rounders, and that would be a mistake for a team that doesn’t have the brightest prospects.

Not having to deal first in the future changes the equation so much for the Clippers. Not only did they get younger at the drop of a hat, as Garland was only 26, but they also got a future second-round pick. LA has hit on second round picks in recent years, with the likes of Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller giving the team quality minutes in recent years. Maybe they could pull off something magical once again.

Now, the Clippers have to play the waiting game with Garland. He has missed a lot of time this season with a finger problem dating back to last season. With LA looking to make the playoffs, getting Garland back should help the team hum.

Furthermore, Garland’s arrival means the Clippers have one extra-large contract on the books for the 2027-28 season. LA’s reported goal was to clear cap space for the 2027 offseason, and having Garland on the books could complicate things for them when the time comes.

But Garland helps keep the Clippers afloat. He is a two-time All-Star who will now have the keys to the offense, unlike in Cleveland when he had to share the ball with Donovan Mitchell many times. He is an undisputed general, and his 26 years makes him questionable, health-wise.

It’s always hard to break up with someone who has an average age of 25 and eight. But the acquisition of Garland sets the Clippers up for a much better future than if Harden simply left in free agency, leaving LA with nothing.

Grade: A-

LA gets a Ivica Zupac trade offer they can’t refuse

The Clippers get: Benedict MaturinIsaiah Jackson, IND 2026 first round pick (protected for selections 1-4, 10-30, carries over to 2031 otherwise), unprotected IND 2029 first round pick, 2028 second round pick

Pacers take over: Ivica Zubac, Kobe Brown

From the inventory reference point, The Clippers won. Imagine throwing Michael Beasley and Mike Muscal into the package Zubac brought back. Zubac has become one of the best and most reliable starting centers in the association, and the Pacers, a team looking to bounce back as a legitimate contender after a poor 2025-26 season, are betting he’s the missing piece to get over the hump.

The Clippers asked a pretty high price from the Pacers, and no one can ever fault LA for giving up Zubac, who is on one of the best contracts in the NBA, for the best man to offer Indiana together.

For starters, getting a potential top five pick in the upcoming draft is crazy value for the Clippers. As enticing as the top four of the 2026 NBA draft is, there is bound to be a goaltender somewhere in the top 10 not named Derrin Peterson, Cam Boozer, AJ Dibanca and Caleb Wilson.

The Pacers think otherwise, but the Clippers gambled wisely in hopes that Indy’s pick would land in the top five. This could even make them players on the trade market if they decide it’s better to go for a more established player than gamble on a prospect.

Even if the 2026 first-rounder doesn’t transfer, the Clippers still win; who knows what the Pacers are like and what their roster looks like in 2031? That’s five years from now. Five years ago, the Pacers were terrible – which put them in a position to draft Maturin first overall.

Maturin’s career didn’t take off the way the Pacers had hoped. He was the X-factor during their playoff run last year, providing incredible points in spurts and playing with the edge any winning team needs. However, he will always be stuck on the bench for the Pacers as long as Andrew Nembhardt and Aaron Nesmith are on the roster. And he’ll soon be in line for a massive contract extension.

With the Clippers needing every bit of young talent they can get, Maturin could flourish in a more prominent role. He will be the worst-case third option in LA when everyone is healthy, and LA knows how to pair two high-scoring wings if the combo of Leonard and Paul George is any indication.

Having to pay Mathurin isn’t the worst thing in the world; he may end up being a trade deal when the Clippers decide to pivot.

Suffice it to say, this was a trade that was The Clippers had to makesentimentality over Zupac be damned.

Grade: A+

The clips are finally coming off the Chris Paul train

Clippers acquire: Rights to Vanja Mariknović

Raptors take over: Chris Paul

Nets acquire: Desperation Agbadji, 2032 second-round pick

The The Clippers waive Paul was a long time coming. However, for them to get nothing is pretty ridiculous. It’s hard to fault LA for this poor comeback given how unceremoniously it ended CP3’s time with the team, but this is still sad way to leave one of the greatest players of the franchise.

Grade: C

Clippers trade deadline total: A-