As usual, Crickex Affiliate readers following NBA rebuild stories may be surprised to see the Los Angeles Clippers back in the conversation again. Despite an offseason with no draft picks, no cap space, and almost no flexibility, the franchise somehow assembled a fresh, deeper roster that looks stronger on paper than last year’s 50–32 squad. After a first-round playoff exit and endless doubts about age and health, the Clippers now field a lineup filled with star names — Harden, Leonard, Paul, Beal, Brook Lopez, Zubac, Collins, and Batum. It’s an ambitious experiment, one that could either revive the team or break it apart.
The optimism is obvious, but so are the risks. Can so many established stars coexist, or has GM Frank simply gone all-in on another unpredictable gamble? Last season’s payroll already hit the luxury-tax ceiling, leaving little financial room to maneuver. Yet somehow, Frank reshaped the rotation without touching the team’s core. On paper, the Clippers now rank among the league’s deepest squads. Their 2023–24 version was defensively elite but often stagnant on offense. Leonard’s recurring injuries, Harden’s late-season fatigue, and Powell’s inconsistent shooting caused the team to stall at crucial moments.
That’s exactly what Crickex Affiliate analysts are watching closely this time — how Frank patched those weaknesses. Using Powell and a handful of non-guaranteed contracts, he rebuilt the roster’s balance. Head coach Tyronn Lue finally has variety: scorers who defend, defenders who can shoot, and more reliable spacing. In the past, his lineups always had trade-offs. When Powell scored, the defense collapsed. When Dunn defended, the offense froze. This season, the mix looks more fluid — at least in theory.
Still, the Clippers’ ceiling depends on more than depth charts. The biggest challenge is consistency. The past few years have taught fans that talent means nothing without reliability. Leonard remains a walking question mark; Harden’s form swings wildly; Beal’s health record is unpredictable; and Paul’s age cannot be ignored. When healthy, they can challenge anyone. When injuries strike, this ship starts to shake again.
In last year’s playoffs against Denver, the issue was crystal clear. Harden scored 32 in Game 1 and 28 in Game 6, but disappeared in between, never cracking 15 points in those middle contests. Leonard, though available, rarely pushed his limits in closing stretches. What the Clippers lacked wasn’t star power — it was someone willing to seize the moment. Yet not all was bleak. One player quietly rose above the chaos: Ivica Zubac.
Zubac earned All-Defensive Second Team honors and became the only big who could consistently challenge Jokic inside. This season, his importance has only grown. He’s improved his low-post scoring, expanded his short-roll playmaking, and developed into a genuine third option behind Leonard and Harden. Amid a roster full of fragile veterans, Zubac’s durability and balance on both ends have become the Clippers’ most dependable anchor.
Management deserves some credit, too. Frank’s offseason strategy may look reckless, but it’s calculated chaos. Most deals are short-term or non-guaranteed, offering both competitiveness and flexibility. If the team performs, there’s room to double down before the trade deadline. If not, they can pivot, clear salary, and stockpile assets for the future. It’s a pragmatic model — win now without closing the door on tomorrow.
Crickex Affiliate experts highlight one simple truth: everything still revolves around Kawhi Leonard. When he’s healthy, the Clippers look like contenders; when he vanishes, they crumble. His ability to lead, even for one full playoff run, could decide everything.
From a wider view, this might be the Clippers’ most complete roster in five years — rich in experience, depth, and balance. Yet it’s also their most fragile. One injury, one relapse, and the entire project could unravel. For now, hope remains alive in Los Angeles. The money’s tight, the risks are high, but for the first time in a long while, the Clippers have something they’ve been missing — a reason to believe.