After an eventful summer, the LA Clippers enter the 2025-26 season with a retooled roster, having made several roster additions through free agency and the trade market.
The team made a splash by bringing back Chris Paul and signing free agents Bradley Beal and Brook Lopez. The front office also acquired John Collins from the Utah Jazz and selected Yanic Konan Niederhäuser with the 30th pick in the draft.
Paul, who played last season with the San Antonio Spurs, was with the Clippers from 2011-2017, leading the team to the playoffs each year. He was a five-time All-Star with the team during that stint and remains their all-time leader in assists.
The Clippers are under investigation by the NBA after Pablo Torre reported on his podcast that they allegedly attempted to circumvent the salary cap by facilitating a $28 million “no-show” endorsement contract to Kawhi Leonard through a now-bankrupt company, Aspiration.
The team denied the allegations and said it is cooperating with the investigation. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated that he isn’t aware of any wrongdoing but will await the findings of the investigation, led by the New York-based law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.
With the team opening training camp on Sept. 30, Rookie Wire examined the Clippers’ depth chart and offered an early projection of the starters and backups entering the season.
PGJames Harden: $39,182,693Chris Paul: $2,296,274SGBradley Beal: $5,354,000Kris Dunn: $5,426,400Cam Christie: $1,955,377SFKawhi Leonard: $50,000,000Derrick Jones Jr.: $10,000,000Bogdan Bogdanović: $16,020,000PFJohn Collins: $26,580,000Nic Batum: $5,601,000Kobe Brown: $2,654,880CIvica Zubac: $18,102,000Brook Lopez: $8,750,000Yanic Konan Niederhäuser: $2,743,000Two-Way ContractsTrentyn FlowersJordan MillerKobe Sanders
Clippers salary information via Spotrac