The Los Angeles Clippers face a crossroads after suffering their eighth loss in 10 games, following a close defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.
Clippers Face Crossroads After Going 2-8 in Last 10 Games
The Clippers have played their last eight games without Kawhi Leonard, leaving James Harden to pick up the scoring duties. Harden has averaged 28.9 points, 8.4 assists, and 7.3 rebounds as the Clippers dropped to a 4-10 record after picking up only one win without Leonard.
The past two games have provided heartbreak for the Clippers. Harden missed a game-tying three in Boston and two potential game-winners in Philly, including one where Grimes clearly fouled him.
At this early stage of the season, the Clippers have to determine their course for the rest of the season. Either stick with the squad and go all-in on this year, risking injuries and a potential giveaway of a lottery pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder, or blow it all up, putting an end to Leonard or Harden’s time in Los Angeles, to build on the future.
Championship or Bust
If owner Steve Ballmer does decide to stick with the core of Harden and Leonard, he would have to make moves that would fill the hole of the team’s third scoring option. Before the season, the front office decided to gamble by trading away the team’s third-leading scorer in Norman Powell, for John Collins. They made further moves with hopes of matching Powell’s production by signing Bradley Beal, but almost everyone can agree that the move did not pan out the way Ballmer and co. expected due to Beal’s fractured hip.
Further moves need to be made to strengthen the team’s bench. Yes, the emergence of Kobe Sanders, who has averaged 10.0 points, 1.8 assists, and 2.3 rebounds in the last eight games, as a reliable wing has certainly alleviated some depth concerns, alongside Cam Christie. But the injury to Derrick Jones Jr., as well as Brook Lopez’s struggles in defending the paint, have exacerbated the need for another big man to reinforce the paint.
Any trade will likely involve Collins or Bogdan Bogdanovic and either of the team’s first-round picks in 2030 or 2031. A steep price for what must be a player that can bring immediate impact to the roster, and keep the team’s championship hopes alive this season.
End of an Era
By blowing the roster up, Ballmer – directly or indirectly – is waving the white flag on the team’s current era with Leonard, which began with the deal to acquire Paul George from the Thunder for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
It will be a tremendous rebuild for the Clippers, who have no first-rounder for what could be a deep draft class this year. According to Spotrac’s Keith Smith, the Clippers are projected to have $67.7 million in cap space this offseason as Smith awaits a “hard reset” for the franchise.
With Harden’s exceptional play so far alongside Leonard’s always-present trade value, there is some room for the Clippers to maneuver in the trade market. Much so if they also decide to deal Ivica Zubac, who has three years left on his $58.6 million contract.
It may be bittersweet for Clippers fans to see their long-time core dealt away, but with the team struggling and the futures of Leonard and Harden unclear, they might accept that starting the rebuild now is better than waiting for the offseason.
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