Name, position, height, weight, school/country, age
NICOLAS BATUM, F, 6-8, 230, France, 34
Batum has hinted that this could be his final NBA season but continues to be an asset at the power forward spot after 16 seasons. He lost out on the starting job to Terance Mann and will compete for backup minutes with Robert Covington and Marcus Morris Sr. Batum averaged 5.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals-plus-blocks in 21 minutes per game off the bench last season.
BRANDON BOSTON JR., G, 6-6, 188, Kentucky, 22
Boston’s preseason was derailed by a knee injury and his status for the regular-season opener is unclear. He has spent much of his two NBA seasons with the team’s G League affiliate in Ontario, and, as one of three two-way contract players, Boston could be headed for the G League again this season.
KOBE BROWN, F, 6-8, 250, Missouri, 23
Brown, the final pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, is unlikely to see significant minutes as a rookie but his time on the bench could give him a chance to learn from the veterans on how to improve his game.
AMIR COFFEY, G/F, 6-7, 210, Minnesota, 29
The fifth-year wing player has established himself as a solid backup power forward, who can make an impact on both ends of the court. His versatility was a reason he was among three players Coach Tyronn Lue was considering for the starting job, which eventually went to Terance Mann. Coffey’s role shouldn’t change this much in 2023-24.
ROBERT COVINGTON, F, 6-7, 209, 32
Covington appeared in just 48 games last season but proved his worth defensively on the boards, pulling down 6 per game. His scoring was down from the previous season (10.4 points in 2021-22 to 6.0 in 2022-23) largely because of his limited minutes in the Clippers’ crowded frontcourt. He displayed his versatility in the preseason and was among three players considered for the starting power forward spot.
MOUSSA DIABATE*, F, 6-10, 217, France, 21
The Clippers’ second-year player appeared in 22 games last season, spending much of the season playing in the G League as a two-way player. He bulked up in the offseason, adding noticeable muscle to his 6-10 frame, but is still expected to have the same role this season as one of three two-way contract players on the roster.
PAUL GEORGE, F, 6-8, 220, Fresno State, 33
George begins his fifth season with the Clippers healthy and slimmer after missing the final stretch of 2022-23, including the playoffs, because of a sprained ankle. George has more than title expectations and staying healthy to think about this season. He is in line for a contract extension that could make him a Clipper for the rest of his career. Contract talks are ongoing, but his age and injuries could play a factor in whether the team is willing to give him a long-term deal.
BONES HYLAND, G, 6-2. 180, VCU, 23
Hyland came to the Clippers from Denver at the trade deadline last season, bringing his over-the-top quickness to L.A. This season, Hyland has added 11 pounds of muscle and a more controlled approach to the court. He wants to be a point guard, but his ability to score will be a bonus to the offense. In 14 games last season, he shot 36.8% from behind the arc. A sprained ankle that he suffered in the final preseason game will slow the start of his season.
KAWHI LEONARD, F, 6-7, 225, San Diego State, 32
Every season begins with a question about Leonard’s health. Can he stay healthy? So far, the answer throughout his Clippers career has been no. Leonard, who had a “clean-out” procedure on this knee during the offseason, is eager to prove he can remain on the court. He came into training camp without any restrictions and played quiet minutes in three of the team’s four preseason games. Like George, he is amid contract extension talks. Like George, the team will need to consider his age and injury history before signing him to a lengthy extension.
TERANCE MANN, F/G, 6-5, 215, Florida State, 25
Based on his proven versatility, Mann was named the team’s fifth starter last week. The young wing player has shown he can not only play all five positions but guard them, too. The move also could quiet any trade talks; Mann has frequently been mentioned as part of any proposed trade with the Philadelphia 76ers for disgruntled star James Harden. Mann, who started 36 games last season, made 51.9% of his shots from the field, including 38.9% from 3-point range. He averaged 8.8 points.
KENYON MARTIN JR., F, 6-7, 217, 22
Martin came to the Clippers in an offseason trade with the Houston Rockets. Before last season, Martin made a trade request with the desire of playing more minutes and ended up starting 49 games for the Rockets. Martin saw significant minutes during the preseason and will be looking to establish himself as a go-to player off the bench. Last season in Houston, he averaged 12.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and shot 52.7% from the field in 28 minutes per game.
JORDAN MILLER*, G, 6-7, 185, Miami, 23
The rookie out of Miami is a two-way contract player who is expected to spend much of the season with the Clippers’ Ontario-based G League team. The second-round pick was named a second-team all-conference player after averaging 15.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals in his final season with the Hurricanes.
MARCUS MORRIS SR., F, 6-8, 218, Kansas, 34
Morris’ 2022-23 season ended with him essentially benched for the final seven games and the first two games of the playoffs before replacing injured star Kawhi Leonard. He admitted to reporters during training camp that he could have played better last season but was bothered by fans who called for Lue to sit him. He promised to be better this season “for the fan base, better for the fans.” Morris has been linked to offseason trade speculation, but he said he is looking forward to helping the team in any capacity it needs.
MASON PLUMLEE, C, 7-0, 254, Duke
Plumlee was acquired from Charlotte at the trade deadline and served as a solid backup to center Ivica Zubac, averaging 7.5 points and 6.9 rebounds in 23 games last season. He will be counted on for more of the same this season. Plumlee re-signed with the Clippers for one year after the front office made a push to retain him.
NORMAN POWELL, G, 6-3, 215, UCLA, 30
Powell was limited during the preseason because of a groin injury but the explosive scorer (17 ppg last season) is healthy now and will come off the bench when the season starts. His 3-point shooting and quickness will be valuable when Leonard and George take nights off.
JOSH PRIMO*, G, 6-6, 200, Alabama, 20
The Clippers signed the 2021 lottery pick to a two-way contract on the same day the NBA announced Primo had been suspended by the league for four games because of offensive and inappropriate behavior toward women. Primo is expected to spend much, if not all, of the season in the G League.
RUSSELL WESTBROOK, G, 6-3, 200, UCLA, 34
From the moment he put on a Clippers jersey, it was clear that this was not the same Westbrook who had played for the Lakers. Gone was the attitude, replaced by a willingness to fit in, not only on the court but in the locker room. At 34, Westbrook continues to show he still has game. In 21 games with the Clippers last season, he averaged 15.8 points (far from this 22.8 career average) and 7.8 assists. More valuable than points, however, is the vocal leadership he has brought to the team.
IVICA ZUBAC, C, 7-0, 240, Croatia, 25
This season, Zubac will not be handling the ball in the post as much as he had in the past, per orders from Coach Tyronn Lue. He will be counted on to score, not create plays. He said he spent the summer working on finishing with his left and right hand, which could be an asset against some of the bigger players in the league. Last season, he averaged 10.8 points and 9.9 rebounds (6.8 on the defensive end).
* = two-way contract player