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I would trade Ty Lue for a pick. I would elevate Shaw to head coach and Van Gundy the key assistant.

I would fire the GM and take a look at someone in the OKC/pacer universe. We need to develop young players and play them throughout the season while giving main players a week off here and there through the season.

Powell has a team friendly one year left. I would package him to upgrade our draft pick to a team like Orlando who needs offense.

I would move Harden to sixth man and let him average 25 minutes a game. We need to find a starting PG.

Coffey can go, Ben Simmons vet minimum, resign Batum, try to trade Bogi

Free agent
Zu
Kawhi
Dunn
Jones Jr

Bench
Harden
Batum
Simmons
Brown
Free agent

State of the Clippers:

It was genius getting 50 wins with this collection of mostly NBA rejects. And after getting career years from Zubac and Norm, probably the only Clippers with real trade value,Ty is going nowhere. And we're pretty much stuck with the others. Here's the contract situation.

over-the-hill and back again [Nico, age 37 in December] PLAYER OPTION @ $5M
poison pill FAs [Beard, 36 in August] PLAYER OPTION @ $36M
past-their-primes [Kawhi,37 RS games played, turns 34 in June] 2 more years @ $50M/yr
undersized PF middling FA [6'6" DJJ] 2 more years @ $10M/yr
minimum retreads [Dunn was hanging on in G-League 2 years ago] 2 years, 2nd year partially guaranteed
minimum re-sign [Amir, 1700+ RS minutes, DNP-Playoffs] UFA
creaky veteran [Bogi Bogdonovich but at least we dumped Mann's even longer 3-year contract] 2 years @ $17M, 2nd year TEAM OPTION

Who are viable MLE players- perhaps Lopez? Maybe they could get cp3 to come back on a vet minimum deal or a bit more. I think he could actually be helpful as a secondary ball handler- nobody can really initiate the offense except Harden.

What's y'all thoughts on Ty Lue and Lawrence Frank? A 50 win season means they're safe and not going anywhere anytime soon. Now I've defended Lue for years, even when folks said he road Bron's coattails to get that one championship ring and always said he was legit. But I can't lie, with all the 1st round exits and the passive quiet coaching style -and also this is me just rambling a bit- I'm starting to question his Klutch Sports affiliation like subconsciously Bron has a hand in our operations. Like we're only allowed to be so good and there's a ceiling placed over us. It feels like Lue will take care of Bron before the team. Like they could be hanging out and Bron will be like.

Bron: "I know Ballmer is paying you but don't get too big over there Lue!"
Ty Lue: "Ah Bron you ain't got nothing to worry about. Its Klutch Sports to the death of us."

-Not saying this is the case, but low key its starting to feel this is the case imo. It probably wouldn't be anything to worry about if Bron was on another team in a different city, but it does feel like Lue keeps the status quo in favor of his buddy and the team he used to play for. I know Lue isn't going anywhere as of right now, but with our new arena, its time for a clean break away from the Lakers, We need real 100% separation. Lue is like a suspension bridge that keeps both land masses connected at all costs. On a couple of other Clipper boards there's fans who firmly believe without a doubt Lue is a Trojan horse for Bron and the Lakers.

Also Lue and Lawrence Frank seem to be buddy buddy but the moves we make seem as if they don't communicate with each other at all. This past trade deadline killed Lue's options, game planning, and versatility with the lineups. We've never ever had 30-45% of our roster that was unplayable for the post season. I've never seen us in that position. Just my thoughts, but still, something seems off with these two guys. Its going to be an interesting off season that's for sure.

I don't like Klutch either, but your conspiracy theory is farfetched. Lue wasn't any better as a coach in Cleveland when he was literally coaching LeBron himself, so I really don't think he's just sandbagging it on the Clippers. He is who he is, a terrible basketball coach living off one ring that the GOAT carried him to. Without LeBron or Kenny, he's Doc 2.0. I've been saying it for years now and this latest disastrous playoff loss has made it inarguable.

Frank shouldn't get a pass here either. I don't think the shoddy team-building is all Lue's fault, although his favoritism, lack of a system/X's and O's, and blind hatred of any player under 30 don't help. Frank blows off the draft and goes out of his way to build the oldest team in the league every single year. He does the exact opposite of everything you need to do to win in today's NBA. I'll give him credit for bringing in DJJ and Dunn, but I hate the majority of the moves he makes when he makes them and I'm usually proven right.

I've been a fan since the Sports Arena days and we've never had a competent front office in all that time. Neil Olshey is probably the best GM this franchise has had since Eddie Donovan in Buffalo, as depressing as that is. The only great coaches we've ever had were Dr. Jack and Larry Brown. We've never had the proper foundation in place to win anything, and while this was understandable when that POS Sterling owned the team, it's surprising and disappointing that Ballmer hasn't figured it out either.

Lue should be embarrassed that he lost to a coach with no experience, but it is highly unlikely he is trying to lose in the playoffs. Besides, he isn't on the court and while his substitutions are often questionable, he can't make the players perform poorly like they did in game 7. The lack of energy from Harden is astounding- he isn't exactly a choker in that he has big games in the playoffs- for example game 6- but his bad games are so bad. Contrast that with the effort Curry gave in game 7 and it is very noticeable- Curry couldn't make a shot for the first 3 quarters, but was still busting his ass on defense. Perhaps Harden just had nothing left in the tank after game 6.

They definitely need another point guard that can initiate the offense and shoot. I actually think Chris Paul could be helpful in that regard. I know he will be 40 tomorrow, but he could actually help this team- still runs an offense well and can shoot. He still plays decent defense too. He could address a need for the Clippers for 20 minutes a game- he isn't unplayable like Dunn was at times in the Denver series.

It’s hard to be optimistic when you know little is going to change.

Maybe we should take shots every time Frank says we need to get younger and more athletic?

Get rid of Ben Simmons. If you're not playable in the post season I don't see the need at all. He couldn't play backup point or small ball center. Play Kobe Brown instead

-Lue is staying
-Coffey is gone
-Cam Christie should get a shot to make the rotation since we need shooting
-Desperately need a point guard, back up or starter
-package Norm with the 30th pick & move up in the draft
-Try to get either Reed Shepard, Cam Whitmore, or Jabari Smith from Houston. It might take the 30th pick and another player to make this happen.
-Maybe Kawhi might be in play as Detroit, Orlando, Houston, etc. are loaded with youth but are in dire need of a vet scorer to put them over the top.
-Batum is coming back, but it's still a lazy move by the team to still depend on a 36 year old player. But that's the Clipper way.
-Not sold on Jordan Miller.
-Does Trentyn Flowers and Pat Baldwin get a look? Who knows.
-Of course we need another big

Merging the two topics as it is essentially the same discussion

Roscoe Sheed wrote:Who are viable MLE players- perhaps Lopez? Maybe they could get cp3 to come back on a vet minimum deal or a bit more. I think he could actually be helpful as a secondary ball handler- nobody can really initiate the offense except Harden.

Lopez as in Brook? Way too old.

CP3? Way too old

Can go after a guy like Tyus Jones if you want another ball handler initiator

Roscoe Sheed wrote:Lue should be embarrassed that he lost to a coach with no experience, but it is highly unlikely he is trying to lose in the playoffs. Besides, he isn't on the court and while his substitutions are often questionable, he can't make the players perform poorly like they did in game 7. The lack of energy from Harden is astounding- he isn't exactly a choker in that he has big games in the playoffs- for example game 6- but his bad games are so bad. Contrast that with the effort Curry gave in game 7 and it is very noticeable- Curry couldn't make a shot for the first 3 quarters, but was still busting his ass on defense. Perhaps Harden just had nothing left in the tank after game 6.

Being a choker doesn't necessarily mean you never have any good games in the playoffs. It means that when your team needs you the most, you always let them down. That was Harden in games 5 and 7 this series amd countless other playoff games/moments throughout his career. The choker label fits him perfectly.

The knock on Harden has always been that he checks out whenever he doesn't have the ball in his hands. I don't think energy is what prevented him from doing what Curry did. He just doesn't care enough about winning. His priority is to hog the ball and pad his stats. When that isn't working for him, he quits.

If this team preparing for 2026 FA, trade Kawhi get whatever you can for him. Harden&Zu and rest of the team carried the team anyway.

He completed the season healthy, contributed in playoffs as two way difference maker. Not superstar form but still good enough 2nd option. Sell it. I think Knicks will get embarresed in the playoffs that might bite the Kawhi cake

I expect minimal change next season. I don't know the contract situation of our players, we'll probably add a backup big.

Harden to the bench?? Not happening in a million years.

og15 wrote:Merging the two topics as it is essentially the same discussion

Roscoe Sheed wrote:Who are viable MLE players- perhaps Lopez? Maybe they could get cp3 to come back on a vet minimum deal or a bit more. I think he could actually be helpful as a secondary ball handler- nobody can really initiate the offense except Harden.

Lopez as in Brook? Way too old.

CP3? Way too old

Can go after a guy like Tyus Jones if you want another ball handler initiator

they are both effective players for 15-20 minutes a game despite their age. Lopez is still a very serviceable center on both sides of the court- he would be very strong in a back up roll- which he might be agreeable to at his age

I'd rather have CP3 than Jones- still more impactful even at 40 years old. He can dribble, run screen roll with Zubac, and make open jumpers

In case you’re still hoping they trade for picks and tank.



lol told y’all. It’s just talk about youth.

Captain Ballmer wrote:If this team preparing for 2026 FA, trade Kawhi get whatever you can for him. Harden&Zu and rest of the team carried the team anyway.

He completed the season healthy, contributed in playoffs as two way difference maker. Not superstar form but still good enough 2nd option. Sell it. I think Knicks will get embarresed in the playoffs that might bite the Kawhi cake

Star chasing is dead in my opinion. Bron, Curry, KD, etc. are almost finished and the new crop of kids are either screw ups(Zion, Ja) or simply don't want to become stars, or they're unable to become a star. Can't star chase when players are literally not turning into stars, unless we want to throw $50 million a year at guys like Trae Young or LaMelo Ball just to say we did something to sell tickets. I don't believe Minny is going to hand us Ant Edwards, Orlando will give us Banchero, or Detroit will hand us Cade Cunningham like Dallas handed over Luka to the Lakers for pennies on the dollar. We have to start developing players now with Kawhi and Harden playing days coming to an end.

Roscoe Sheed wrote:

og15 wrote:Merging the two topics as it is essentially the same discussion

Roscoe Sheed wrote:Who are viable MLE players- perhaps Lopez? Maybe they could get cp3 to come back on a vet minimum deal or a bit more. I think he could actually be helpful as a secondary ball handler- nobody can really initiate the offense except Harden.

Lopez as in Brook? Way too old.

CP3? Way too old

Can go after a guy like Tyus Jones if you want another ball handler initiator

they are both effective players for 15-20 minutes a game despite their age. Lopez is still a very serviceable center on both sides of the court- he would be very strong in a back up roll- which he might be agreeable to at his age

I'd rather have CP3 than Jones- still more impactful even at 40 years old. He can dribble, run screen roll with Zubac, and make open jumpers

We gotta move on from old players my friend. You see Minnesota, you see Detroit, you see OKC, etc. We gotta get with this new NBA and push forward with younger athletic guys mixed in with worthy vets not backwards and still reverting to old "names" and then wonder why the injuries, slow style of play, and early playoff exits happen. Its 2025 soon to be 2026, lets go and move the team into the future for once!

Clemenza wrote:

Roscoe Sheed wrote:

og15 wrote:Merging the two topics as it is essentially the same discussion


Lopez as in Brook? Way too old.

CP3? Way too old

Can go after a guy like Tyus Jones if you want another ball handler initiator

they are both effective players for 15-20 minutes a game despite their age. Lopez is still a very serviceable center on both sides of the court- he would be very strong in a back up roll- which he might be agreeable to at his age

I'd rather have CP3 than Jones- still more impactful even at 40 years old. He can dribble, run screen roll with Zubac, and make open jumpers

We gotta move on from old players my friend. You see Minnesota, you see Detroit, you see OKC, etc. We gotta get with this new NBA and push forward with younger athletic guys mixed in with worthy vets not backwards and still reverting to old "names" and then wonder why the injuries, slow style of play, and early playoff exits happen. Its 2025 soon to be 2026, lets go and move the team into the future for once!

I understand youth is important- but GSW just advanced with an aging roster.

I'm more concerned with finding effective players who can contribute in the playoffs, regardless of their age. For example, Dunn and Jones are great athletes, but nobody respects their shot- also Dunn cannot run an offense.

Not saying it would be a great idea to sign both of these guys, but they can definitely still contribute.

I also see that Portis is also a free agent- he would be a great big to have coming off the bench or maybe even starting at the 4 depending on the match up

esqtvd wrote:State of the Clippers:

It was genius getting 50 wins with this collection of mostly NBA rejects. And after getting career years from Zubac and Norm, probably the only Clippers with real trade value,Ty is going nowhere. And we're pretty much stuck with the others. Here's the contract situation.

over-the-hill and back again [Nico, age 37 in December] PLAYER OPTION @ $5M
poison pill FAs [Beard, 36 in August] PLAYER OPTION @ $36M
past-their-primes [Kawhi,37 RS games played, turns 34 in June] 2 more years @ $50M/yr
undersized PF middling FA [6'6" DJJ] 2 more years @ $10M/yr
minimum retreads [Dunn was hanging on in G-League 2 years ago] 2 years, 2nd year partially guaranteed
minimum re-sign [Amir, 1700+ RS minutes, DNP-Playoffs] UFA
creaky veteran [Bogi Bogdonovich but at least we dumped Mann's even longer 3-year contract] 2 years @ $17M, 2nd year TEAM OPTION

None of our contracts are bad individually, but as a whole they add up to basically what we achieved last season- at best. Individually, I like almost all of our guys. Even Bogey's contract is fine, if he could have simply kept up his regular season Clipper numbers.

Trading away players is a possibility, but not if it involves taking longer contracts back. We are getting cap relief before we start getting our picks back:
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/la-clippers/yearly

2025-26- Next year is likely a roll it back year. Maybe worse, maybe a little better.
2026-27- We start to have some money to play with, even with some improvement possibilities if say James and/or Norm want to return on smaller money. Kawhi is the only sure bad contract because he won't be playing up to his salary for sure by then (even disregarding availability.) He's been a soldier for us, so it is what it is. He won't get booed at Intuit.
2027-28- Absolutely no dead wood to speak of, if we don't take any on before then.
2028-29- Whatever Ballmer and our FO can buy. I wouldn't bet on total failure though.
2029-30- Whatever Ballmer and our FO can buy. Again, I wouldn't bet on total failure.

After that, if we're still around on this board LOL, we start getting draft picks back. But well before then we'll have the luxury of cap space, a big market, and an owner with deep pockets and very good reputation among the league.