By Joel Perez 
Coming into this season, not much was expected from the Los Angeles Clippers, if we’re being
honest. Yet, as it turns out, this team has been surprisingly solid to start the year. Currently
sitting 9th in the highly competitive Western Conference with a 9-7 record through 16 games,
they may not be at the top, but they’ve exceeded expectations. Heading into the season,
most—including myself—thought the Clippers were destined to blow it all up, trading everyone
for draft picks and assets to clean up the chaotic mess they’ve created over the past few years.
Let’s not forget, the Clippers have little to no future draft capital after trading away their future in
the blockbuster Paul George deal back in the summer of 2019. That trade also cost them First
Team All-NBA talent and potential future MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. On top of that, they
made another splash last season, acquiring James Harden, which required giving up even more
future assets.
Hindsight is 20/20, and looking back now, the George trade might be viewed as a disaster,
considering what they gave up. But at the time, a lineup featuring Paul George and Kawhi
Leonard seemed unstoppable. The league was shifting toward teams built around versatile
wings with elite two-way upside, and both George and Kawhi were among the best in the world
then—and, arguably, still are at times.
This past offseason, the Clippers made significant moves after Paul George left in free agency
to join the Philadelphia 76ers. In response, the team decided to retool by bringing in savvy
veterans to help navigate the transition. With George’s departure and the inevitable trade of
Russell Westbrook, the Clippers aimed to start fresh while retaining some returning players and
adding new talent around the edges.
Among their best offseason pickups were Derrick Jones Jr. and Kris Dunn. While neither is a
“superstar,” both have seamlessly integrated into the team, with each even closing out games
on occasion. Derrick Jones Jr. has excelled as the team’s primary defender against top
offensive threats, often picking them up full court and wearing them down before they can even
initiate the offense.
One of the biggest surprises this season has been Norman Powell’s elevated play. Powell is
averaging an impressive 23 points per game on 49% shooting, both inside and outside the arc.
Back in September, when his performance was drawing attention, Powell described Paul
George’s departure as “addition by subtraction.” While some might interpret that as a shot at
George, Powell clarified that it was more about creating opportunities for others to shine—a
sentiment reflected in his thriving play this season.
As crazy as it may seem, considering he’s in his 15th season, former MVP James Harden is
thriving with this roster. Harden continues to do what he does best, initiating nearly every
offensive possession when he’s on the court. While his style can be frustrating to watch at
times, it has proven effective in key moments. Though his shooting percentages from the field
aren’t stellar, Harden has delivered standout performances—such as dishing out 16 assists to
lead the Clippers to a win over the top-seeded Golden State Warriors. He was joined by Norman
Powell, who contributed an efficient 23 points on 9-15 shooting.
Even more impressively, Harden stepped up without Norman Powell in the lineup during last
night’s game against the Orlando Magic. Harden led the team in scoring with 24 points,
propelling Los Angeles to another impressive victory over a talented young team.
The most puzzling aspect of the Clippers’ saga over the past couple of months has been Kawhi
Leonard’s availability—or lack thereof. Technically the centerpiece of the team’s puzzle, Kawhi
has struggled to stay on the court, battling injuries to the point where he was removed from
Team USA’s final 12-man Olympic roster after just a few practices. He was replaced by NBA
champion Derrick White, and Team USA went on to win gold without Leonard.
At the start of last season, Kawhi signed a lucrative three-year max extension that guarantees
him a spot on the team through the 2026-2027 season. From an outside perspective, this deal
could rank among the worst in the league, as the Clippers are devoting a third of their cap space
to a player who struggles to contribute consistently on the court. When Kawhi does play, he’s
undoubtedly a superstar and one of the best in the world, but those appearances have become
increasingly rare.
Kawhi is the glaring X-factor for a team that has the potential to reach the next level. Imagining
a lineup featuring Kawhi and Derrick Jones Jr. taking on the toughest defensive assignments,
Norman Powell serving as a sharpshooter, and James Harden orchestrating the offense is
exciting—on paper. But first, Kawhi needs to get on the court, establish his role within this
group, and show he can contribute consistently. Only then will we truly see how far this Clippers
team can go.
Angel Rivera