The Los Angeles Clippers have been on a roller coaster for the entire season. The Clippers dropped down to a 6-21 record and then bounced back to a near .500 record by the trade deadline. Add in the drama of the Aspiration scandal in the off-season, and then the team sending home franchise legend Chris Paul during a road trip. All this has made this season one for the ages.
The recent flurry of trade deadline acquisitions and cuts have build up the pile of notable moments in the Los Angeles season. After a recent stretch of wins catapulting them to the play-in spots, the Clippers front office has decided to sell off their older core and rebuild with new young talent.
Harden And Zubac Gone 
Harden and Zubac;s chemistry together had been a staple of the Clippers offense. Credit: Isaiah J. Downing/Imagn Images
Los Angeles mainstays James Harden and Ivica Zubac were traded in deals with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers. The Harden trade was a player swap of Darius Garland and a second-round pick. Zubac garnered a huge haul in the form of three draft picks, Benedict Mathurin, and Isaiah Jackson. The return for Harden and Zubac is sufficient for a jump start in the Clippers rebuild as they regroup to create a younger and efficient core of players.
Chris Paul Sent Packing
The Clippers released Chris Paul of his duties back in November but kept him on the team as they looked for a trade partner. It took until the trade deadline neared for teams to start calling for the future Hall of Famer. The Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, and Los Angeles conducted a three team trade Wednesday that sent Paul to Toronto. The Raptors announced quickly though that they plan on waiving him, which grants him the ability to become a free agent and pick a team of his liking.
The trade was an odd one as the Clippers got nothing in return in terms of players or draft capital. The deal opened up two roster spots that are for their two-way players. Subtracting Paul, a legend on his way out, to free a roster spot for two up-and-coming players makes this an unusual yet smart trade for the rebuilding franchise.
End Of My Los Angeles Clippers Rant
The sudden decision to dismantle this core of players that have crawled their way back to the playoff conversation is a shocker to some. It adds up, though, when looking at the larger perspective. The Los Angeles front office saw that the ceiling of this team wasn’t a championship like they hoped when acquiring these players. It decided to sell high after the playoff push to get a sizable return in players and draft picks for the rebuilding process.
For better or for worse, the Kawhi Leonard era is closing its doors now and ushering in a younger and fresh faced iteration for the future.