No workforce within the NBA is on the precipice of both doom or salvation the best way the LA Clippers are. With the departure of James Harden and the fallout from the Kawhi Leonard state of affairs able to hit, issues may get actually ugly. Or it may all be a chance to embrace a full-on rebuild of the franchise.
Should you forgot that the NBA has hung the Sword of Damocles proper above the Clippers’ collective heads, you may be forgiven for that. It has been months for the reason that accusations of administration circumventing the wage cap to pay Kawhi Leonard extra cash dropped. Adam Silver hasn’t forgotten, although.
The Clippers are broadly anticipated to face some form of punishment for the transfer. It may embody monetary penalties, a lack of draft picks, and certain the voiding of Leonard’s contract with the franchise. It could instantly make him a free agent who may signal with some other workforce.
Including to the distress was the suddenness of James Harden leaving. Simply earlier than the commerce deadline, he requested a commerce, which is on model for him, and headed to Cleveland. Ivica Zubac was additionally traded, they usually despatched Chris Paul residence earlier within the season. It is a interval of big upheaval for the Clippers.
The Clippers must lean into the chaos
It is not all unhealthy information. The present scuttlebutt is that the league might not strip the Clips of any draft picks and can as an alternative deal with ending Leonard’s contract alongside potential monetary penalties. This might be the best-case situation for Los Angeles’ second favourite NBA franchise.
On this actuality, the Clippers instantly discover themselves freed of a few of their largest contracts, but nonetheless have draft picks to work with. This offers them with a chance to begin a full rebuild course of using stable gamers they have already got on the roster.
As a part of their current trades, they picked up each Benedict Mathurin and Darius Garland who may pair properly because the core of a rebuild with Bogdan Bogdanovic. The Clips have a further eight gamers who’ve been within the league 4 years or much less. There’s some actual potential in that group.
Positive, the Clippers might want to lose not less than Nicolas Batum, Brook Lopez, and the eternally injured Bradley Beal. Two of these gamers are more likely to retire quickly anyway. Regardless, there is no sense in moping in regards to the Leonard state of affairs. Reap the benefits of it to construct in the direction of a greater future.
