The Los Angeles Clippers enter the 2026-27 NBA season with a dramatically reshaped roster and a preseason power ranking of No. 28. Their campaign begins on October 21 at home against the Sacramento Kings, following a preseason that included a 122-110 win over the Denver Nuggets on October 14. After finishing 42-40 last season and losing in the play-in tournament, the franchise has turned the page, trading Kawhi Leonard and bringing in new faces like Brandon Ingram.
The offseason saw major changes. The Clippers drafted Keaton Wagler with the No. 5 pick and re-signed Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller. Their biggest moves came via trade, acquiring Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick from Toronto and Max Strus from Cleveland. Key departures include Kawhi Leonard, sent to the Raptors, and Bogdan Bogdanović, who signed with Houston. The team also added Rui Hachimura on a two-year deal. It's a mix of young potential and established veterans, but the draft capital is depleted. That puts immense pressure on Wagler to develop into a star.
There's excitement about the pick-and-roll potential between rookie Keaton Wagler and center Yanic Konan Niederhäuser. Yanic showed good coordination as a roller last season, and Wagler's elite college playmaking could unlock him. The backcourt of Darius Garland and a healthy Brandon Ingram provides high-end shot creation. In a recent preseason win, the team showed offensive firepower, beating Denver 122-110. If Garland and Ingram stay on the court, this group has the scoring to be a nuisance. But the concerns are deep. The defensive identity is a question mark. Beyond Wagler, the young core lacks obvious star upside, making the team's long-term path unclear. Analyst Kevin O'Connor noted the challenge of selling patience to fans. The preseason power ranking of 28th reflects those doubts. Fantasy analyst Dan Titus pointed to Rui Hachimura as a potential early-season scorer, especially with Ingram managing a heel issue, but that's a short-term fix.
The Clippers tip off the regular season on October 21 versus the Kings, then face the Lakers on October 23. The preseason offered mixed results, with a win over Golden State (104-101 on Oct. 4) and a loss to Toronto (114-106 on Oct. 10). The absolute best-case scenario, per the source, is fighting for the No. 10 seed in the West. That would require 60-plus games from Garland and Ingram and consistent defensive effort from a reshuffled group. Head coach Ty Lue's ability to galvanize this squad will be tested from day one. The team's immediate future hinges on Wagler's adaptation to the NBA and the health of its lead guards. For the latest updates on the team's schedule and player availability, visit our schedule and injuries pages. The opening week will quickly show if this new mix can defy expectations.
