The Los Angeles Clippers lost in the first round of the NBA playoffs, with an outline of what’s going forward.
The Los Angeles Clippers cruised in the 50-32 season as they were only expected to win 30 games this season, but ended up losing to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the postseason.
Other teams, like the Memphis Grizzlies and the Milwaukee Bucks, who lost in the first round, appear to have the Clippers happy with their core, but are expected to explore rebuilding options.
Both James Harden and Kawi Leonard were All-Star caliber players when they were healthy, and regular Powell, Ivika Zubak and Chris Dunn all had the best seasons of their careers.
Despite the models that other teams could follow, the Clippers have a clear direction.
Leonard, Powell, Zubak, Dan, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Derrick Jones Jr. are all signed next season, with both Harden and Nicholas Batam expecting to opt in in the final year on contracts.
With 50 wins, Los Angeles is enough to compete in the loaded Western Conference despite Leonard not starting the season until January. There’s nothing to change in next season.
“It’s clear that the next phase will be centered around Harden and Leonard, at least in the short term.” Athletic Law Murray.
“The Clippers are below the first Apron threshold of the collective bargaining agreement, according to league sources, and will look to the next two offseasons to remain flexible. The first domino against that is what happens in Harden, who has $36.4 million worth of player options next season.”
Harden has been linked to the LA community and made it clear that he wants to retire as a clipper.
“To start at least next season, the Clippers look to be in a place of stability with the team’s rotation, which surprised many teams by winning 50 wins,” Murray continued.
“Stability” is often overlooked in the NBA (see Phoenix Suns), but there’s a reason to be loyal to the Clippers under Tyrone Lue that they can improve next year.
Throughout the recent seasons, the Clippers are defined by injuries. Neither Paul George nor Leonard were able to connect a healthy postseason, and by the time the playoffs rolled, they couldn’t expect the best players.
Their best players were available this season and He played at a high level.
| player | PPG (Playoff PPG) | RPG (Playoff RPG) | APG (Playoff APG) | FG% (Playoff FG%) | 3pt% (3pt% playoff) |
| Kauhi Leonard | 21.5 (25.0) | 5.9 (7.6) | 3.1 (4.7) | 49.8% (57.3%) | 41.1% (40.5%) |
| James Harden | 22.8 (18.7) | 5.8 (5.4) | 8.7 (9.1) | 41.0% (43.6%) | 35.2% (36.4%) |
| Ivica Zubac | 16.8 (17.4) | 12.6 (10.1) | 2.7 (2.3) | 68.2% (65.9%) | n/a (n/a) |
| Norman Powell | 21.8 (16.0) | 3.2 (2.4) | 2.1 (2.4) | 48.4% (47.2%) | 41.8% (35.0%) |
| Bogdan Bogdan Bogdanovic | 11.4 (6.4) | 3.1 (2.9) | 3.2 (2.1) | 47.4% (36.4) | 42.7% (29.2) |
| Derrick Jones Jr. | 10.1 (7.3) | 3.4 (1.9) | 0.8 (0.4) | 52.6% (43.8%) | 35.6% (30.0%) |
| Crisis Dun | 6.4 (6.3) | 3.4 (3.4) | 2.8 (1.3) | 43.9% (38.6%) | 33.5% (35.7%) |
It presents a considerable dilemma. In past seasons, fans and the front office were able to justify all the flaws by reducing everything to injury. They were good and healthy this season, but they weren’t good enough.
Certainly, they lost in seven games, but they added three games 2-1 against the Nuggets. Leonard’s chances to win the third title in his third city look just as good as they did this season and beyond, but that may not be what he said.