The Los Angeles Clippers enter the 2026-27 NBA training camp in a difficult position, stripped of key draft assets and evaluating their veteran roster for potential trades. The team's recent form shows the challenge, with a 2W-3L record in their last five games, including a 120-101 loss to the Denver Nuggets on May 3, 2025. This follows a league punishment for circumventing the salary cap with Kawhi Leonard, costing them first-round picks from 2029 to 2033. The penalty severely impacts a rebuilding plan that recently saw Ivica Zubac and James Harden traded for future assets and Kawhi Leonard moved for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and multiple picks.
With no control over their own first-round picks from 2027 to 2033, the Clippers cannot afford a traditional rebuild by bottoming out. The front office likely intends to remain semi-competitive, making Darius Garland and Brandon Ingram important pieces barring massive trade offers. The roster is currently filled with veterans who can contribute but lacks a top-shelf superstar to lead a true championship charge. This awkward spot makes recouping assets for players on expiring contracts a logical move. The team's recent playoff series against Denver, which included losses of 131-115 and 101-99, highlighted the gap they need to close.
Derrick Jones Jr. Finds himself on a hot seat. Signed in 2024 as a Paul George replacement, he was a standout perimeter defender during a 50-win season. Last season, however, injuries limited him to just 50 games. Now in the final year of his contract, Jones faces increased competition from a crowded wing rotation featuring Ingram, Rui Hachimura, Max Strus, and Gradey Dick. The Clippers may explore his market value rather than risk losing him for nothing. A contender needing defense, perhaps even the Los Angeles Lakers, could have interest given his proven fit alongside a star like Luka Doncic.
Max Strus is another player who could be on the move. Acquired in the offseason, he provides shooting and wing depth but might be deemed expendable in a logjam. His contract situation and skill set make him attractive to playoff teams seeking floor spacing. Trading Strus could help the Clippers acquire a future second-round pick or a young player, adding a minor asset to their depleted cupboard. The front office must weigh his immediate contribution against the long-term need to stockpile any draft capital they can find.
The immediate future is about asset management. The Clippers must decide which veterans align with a core built around Garland and Ingram. Letting players walk in free agency without compensation is a luxury they cannot afford. Exploring trades for role players like Jones and Strus is a necessary step. The team's performance will be closely watched, especially after a mixed bag of results against Denver that included a 117-83 win but also several double-digit losses. Fans can track the evolving roster and upcoming challenges on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page. Success in the coming years will depend on shrewd transactions and player development, as the draft will offer little help for nearly a decade.
