Pre-Draft Outlook
Clippers governor Steve Ballmer hopes to open the newly built Intuit Dome to plenty of fanfare. So, making a splash in the free agency or the draft wouldn’t hurt. The latter seems to be a more difficult proposition considering LA owns only one pick (No. 46) in the Draft. LA is also flirting with losing Paul George, who has a player option worth $48.8 million and can become a free agent if he’s unable to work out an extension before June 30. James Harden is also set to hit unrestricted free agency. The team would like to run it back with an aging big three of George, Harden, and Kawhi Leonard, who was injured for the second straight postseason, but that prospect isn’t guaranteed.
The Way to Go
The Clippers need to add depth on the bench because the past injury history of George, Harden and Leonard indicates that at some point the team will need to rely on some of the reserves for heavy stretches of the season. But that will be tough for a franchise that might exceed $200 million next season in payroll after signing Leonard in January to a three-year extension worth $153 million. It’s unlikely that any piece the Clippers add with the 46th pick will make a significant contribution next season. But LA will likely look at guards such as Pelle Larsson, KJ Simpson, AJ Johnson and Trentyn Flowers.
— Michael C. Wright
Here’s a quick look at LA’s current roster entering the Draft:
Under Contract
G: Bones Hyland
G: Jordan Miller
G: Norman Powell
G/F: Amir Coffey
G/F: Terance Mann
F: Kobe Brown
F: Kawhi Leonard
C: Ivica Zubac
Free Agents
G: Brandon Boston Jr.
G: James Harden
G: Xavier Moon
G: Russell Westbrook
F: Moussa Diabate
F: Paul George
F: P.J. Tucker
F/C: Mason Plumlee
F/C: Daniel Theis
C/F: Kai Jones
> 2024 Free Agent Tracker