The Los Angeles Clippers have been one of the most active teams in the NBA, including over the last week. The Clippers made their 12th separate player transaction since July 1 on Monday by reuniting with Chris Paul. According to the president of basketball operations, Lawrence Frank, the Clippers are interested in bringing back two more former players.
Los Angeles is in the process of finalizing their 2025-26 roster. The Clippers won 50 games for the second consecutive season last year, but once again, they were bounced in the opening round of the playoffs. The Clippers, who have the league’s fourth-highest winning percentage since the 2019-20 season, have had the biggest issue over the past few years been health.
LA is coming off a fifth-place finish with a 50-32 record last season, falling to Denver in seven games. The Clippers finished 15th in the league offensively and were the third-best on the defensive end. This is despite Norman Powell and Kawhi Leonard missing a combined 67 contests. The Clippers were 26-11 in games Leonard played and 21-6 in contests Leonard and Powell started together.
Clippers Ecstatic About Offseason “Would Love” To Re-Sign A Few Free Agents
A big issue for the Clippers offensively was playmaking and turnovers. Granted, the Clippers had some good facilitators on their roster, including Kevin Porter Jr., Ben Simmons, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Kris Dunn. James Harden, Bogdanovic, and Leonard were the only two playmakers and shotmakers of the group who are shotmakers and playmakers. Harden, Bogdanovic, and Simmons were the only players to have a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Porter Jr., Simmons, and Powell are no longer on the team. Instead, Paul will take over the backup point guard spot, Frank told Janis Carr of the Orange County Register.
“Chris takes care of the ball and runs an offense about as well as anyone who’s ever done it,” Frank said. “He’ll slot into our roster as a reserve point guard. There’ll be nights when Chris plays a lot, there’ll be nights he does not. Chris is excited to be here, to be part of the group, to help lead the group, and to play when called on.”
Meanwhile, Bradley Beal signed a two-year, $10.9 million deal with the Clippers after his buyout. Even though Beal was much maligned in Phoenix, the 32-year-old gives the Clippers another reliable scorer and shotmaker. Beal averaged 17.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 49.7/38.6/80.3. He produced one double-double and scored in double-figures 44 of his 53 appearances, topping the 20-point mark 21 times and the 30-point plateau once.
The Clippers drafted Yanic Konan Niederhauser with the last pick in the first round, also signed Brook Lopez, and traded for John Collins earlier this summer. They also re-signed Harden and Nic Batum. Additionally, Trentyn Flowers and 2025 second-round selection Koby Sanders, acquired from New York in a draft-day trade, have joined Patrick Baldwin Jr. on a two-way deal.
“I think we feel really, really good and excited about where we’re at, but you never stop,” Frank told Law Murray of The Athletic when asked about what the Clippers wanted to do this offseason and what was next.
Clippers Projected Rotation
With their roster moves, the Clippers are projected to be the oldest team in the NBA, with the average age of players on standard contracts at 30.4 years old. Eight players on the squad are 31 years and older, with Cam Christie being the youngest at 19. In comparison, Philadelphia was the oldest team in the league last year, with an average age of 28.3.
Fifteen Clippers saw double-digit minutes last season, though only seven players appeared in 60 or more games. While the Clippers probably hope those numbers are replicated this season, coach Ty Lue should have plenty of options.
Harden, Leonard, Ivica Zubac, Collins, and Beal are expected to start. Bogdanovic, Derrick Jones Jr., Lopez, Paul, and Batum figure to serve on the Clippers’ second unit. However, Dunn and Kobe Brown could also work their way into the rotation.
“We’ll probably have a 9-man rotation,” Frank also told Murray. “But you have 11 quality players.”
Los Angeles has 14 players on standard contracts for the upcoming campaign, all of whom are guaranteed, with a salary cap hit of $194.66 million. Thus, leaving the Clippers $1.27 million from being hardcapped at the first apron.
Amir Coffey and Jordan Miller
Will the Clippers add a player to the roster before opening night? It is highly doubtful, but not out of the question. Amir Coffey and Jordan Miller are candidates for the Clippers’ 15th spot, though neither player’s full-season salary cap hit would fit under the tight window.
“If there’s an opportunity here, we’d love to be able to create it. If there isn’t, then we wish those guys nothing but the best,” Frank said.
Coffey, known as a 3-and-D wing, is coming off a career season. The 28-year-old averaged 9.7 points and 1.4 three-pointers while shooting 47.1%, 40.9%, and 89.1% from the field. He scored in double-figures in 33 of 72 contests, hitting the 20-point mark four times.
Meanwhile, Miller saw an increase in playing time over his rookie campaign, averaging 11.4 minutes over 37 appearances. He scored at least 10 points on six occasions and showed some defensive promise, though he struggled shooting from deep.
Miller had an excellent summer league campaign in Vegas. The 25-year-old wing compiled two double-doubles and scored at least 19 points in all five appearances. He averaged 22.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 steals.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee, Imagn Images
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