The Los Angeles Clippers lost in the first round of the NBA playoffs, and their direction moving forward has been outlined.
The Los Angeles Clippers, after being expected by some to win only 30 games this season, cruised to a 50-32 season but ultimately lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the postseason.
Other teams who lost in the first round, like the Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks, are expected to explore rebuilding options, although the Clippers seem happy with their core.
Both James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, when healthy, are All-Star caliber players, and Normal Powell, Ivica Zubac, and Kris Dunn all had the best seasons of their careers.
Despite the model other teams may follow, the Clippers have a clear direction.
Los Angeles Clippers will run it back
Leonard, Powell, Zubac, Dunn, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Derrick Jones Jr. are all under contract for next season, and both Harden and Nicolas Batum are expected to opt-in to the final years on their contracts.
With 50 wins under their belt despite Leonard not starting his season until January, Los Angeles is good enough to compete in the loaded Western Conference. Nothing is expected to change next season.
“It seems clear that the next stage, at least in the short term, will be centered around Harden and Leonard,” reported The Athletic’s Law Murray.
“The Clippers are below the collective bargaining agreement’s first-apron threshold and intend to remain flexible with an eye toward the next two off-seasons, according to league sources. The first domino toward that is what happens with Harden, who has a player option worth $36.4 million for next season.”
Harden has ties to the LA community and has made it clear that he wants to retire as a Clipper.
“To at least begin next season, the Clippers appear to be in a place of stability with the rotation of a team that surprised many by getting to 50 wins,” Murray continued.
“Stability” is often overlooked in the NBA (see the Phoenix Suns), but the Clippers, under Tyronn Lue, have reason to be faithful that they can improve next year.
Clippers do have to confront one reality
Throughout recent seasons, the Clippers have been defined by injury. Neither Paul George nor Leonard were able to string together healthy postseasons, and by the time the playoffs rolled around, their best players couldn’t be counted on.
This season, their best players were available and were playing at a high level.
That presents quite a dilemma. In past seasons, fans and the front office could justify any shortcomings by reducing everything down to injuries. This season, they were good and healthy, but they just weren’t good enough.
Granted, they did lose in seven games, but they were up 2-1 through three games against the Nuggets. Leonard’s chances of winning a third title in his third city look as good as ever after this season, but that might not be saying much.
