The Clippers opened the season with title hopes, but they spent the first two months sinking to the bottom of the West instead. Sitting at 9-21 after 30 games, they look disjointed on the court and generally out of sync across the board.
They crawled out of the gate at 5-16 and bottomed out with a 2-13 record in November, turning what was supposed to be a playoff push into a harsh reality check.
Fans and analysts keep pointing fingers at the front office. Several choices set them back:
They flipped Norman Powell for John Collins, and Collins hasn’t delivered the shooting or fit they counted on.
Brook Lopez never found a rhythm and got pushed out of the rotation.
Chris Paul’s return ended in drama.
Bradley Beal barely saw the floor before a hip fracture shut him down for the year.
Put it all together, and the Clippers built a roster that looks good on paper but has fallen apart in games. Now comes the real test.
If they want to get serious about competing again, they have to face the question everyone’s already whispering: Is it time to trade away some veterans and look to the future?
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Kawhi Leonard to the Clippers: Potential Trade Idea
Clippers Receive: Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jake LaRavia
Lakers Receive: Kawhi Leonard
Why Kawhi Leonard Has Become A Problem
Kawhi plays at an elite level whenever he’s on the court, so talent isn’t the problem. But injuries continue to derail his seasons.
He has spent huge chunks of his Clippers tenure on the sideline with ankle and foot issues, missing more than 200 regular season games. Each time he’s out, the offense slows down and James Harden ends up carrying more weight than he should.
At some point, the front office has to look at the big picture and decide if the trade-off still makes sense.
What The Clippers Would Gain
Austin Reaves drives an efficient offense with quick reads and real shot creation. At his peak, he plays like an All-Star-level guard who stretches defenses and runs sets without hesitation.
His defense won’t shut down elite scorers, but he would give the Clippers what they’ve missed for years: a guard who controls tempo and dictates possessions.
Hachimura delivers steady offense and dependable minutes. He could give the frontcourt instant stability and help the lineup balance out.
Vincent provides capable backup guard minutes and keeps the offense organized when starters sit. LaRavia adds size on the wing, rebounds well enough to stay on the floor, and competes defensively without becoming a liability.
Together, these pieces give the Clippers depth and versatility, a structure that can keep them afloat.
What The Lakers Would Gain
They would add Leonard, a two-time Finals MVP who turns playoff games on their head. When his body cooperates, he still gives a level of two-way impact only a handful of wings can touch.
Picture him alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Luka doesn’t have to create every possession. LeBron doesn’t have to take every top assignment. And when the game slows in the fourth, they have another closer who can get his own shot.
On paper, the Lakers would look terrifying.
The catch is simple. Kawhi has to stay upright. If his body gives out before the postseason, the entire gamble would blow up in their face.
What This Trade Means
The Clippers trade Kawhi and move on from their biggest star, but they also clear the path to rebuild their culture, strengthen the roster, and chase a model that can last.
The Lakers push all their chips in. It would be championship or bust. And the truth is, both sides might need exactly that to break out of their current cycles.