The Clippers might management the NBA offseason thanks to at least one key asset

The Los Angeles Clippers had a really fascinating season. They began off 6-21 and due to the Paul George commerce again within the day, appeared primed to provide Oklahoma Metropolis a high choice in a loaded 2026 draft class.

Thankfully, the Clippers had been in a position to proper the ship, due to stellar play from Kawhi Leonard, and the additions of Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin on the deadline actually infused the workforce with youth and extra firepower.

Los Angeles additionally traded away long-time middle Ivica Zubac to Indiana, and bought a first-round choose in return. That choose ended up turning into the fifth choose within the draft for the Clippers, because the Pacers loosened the protections on the choose to amass Zubac. Now, issues are wanting up in LA.

Having the fifth choose within the draft offers the Clippers a ton of offseason flexibility

For a workforce that has prioritized getting youthful over the previous few months, getting a high choice on this yr’s draft is superb for LA.

They’ll have the possibility to choose a blue-chip man like Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff, Aday Mara, and others. They’ll additionally commerce down if they need, get extra draft capital, and are available away with two younger gamers within the first spherical.

The Clippers may bundle the choose in a blockbuster transfer to remain in win-now mode and add a star subsequent to Leonard and Garland. Possibly they take part on the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, or attempt to purchase Trey Murphy from the Pelicans and actually improve their wing depth. 

Leonard’s future with the workforce is unsure, because the league has but to return to a decision on the Aspiration case, and there are rumblings that if he had been to turn into accessible, many groups would have an interest. So, if LA had been to commerce him and get vital draft capital again along with the fifth choose, that additional helps their reset.

Having a high choose may be very helpful within the league and for an LA workforce that’s nonetheless deciding on its path for subsequent season, it helps give them avenues for the longer term. No matter path they resolve to go in, they’ll probably come out big winners on the opposite aspect.

For a workforce that has spent the previous few years going all-in and not likely having the possibility to construct a younger core, logic says that they need to both preserve the choose or commerce down and purchase extra. Time will inform, however the Clippers have choices.