Post Mortem #21 - Los Angeles Clippers

[vxmike]

Anything is better than nothing. They already let PG walk for nothing. LAC managed without him, but they absolutely cannot allow Harden or to a lesser extent Kawhi, leave for nothing. LAC would a bottom 10 team if that happens

I don't think either player has any trade value. Kawhi Leonard is 33 years old and injury prone, plus he's paid 50 million dollars for the next two seasons. Harden is 35 years old and will be paid 36 million next year.

For Harden, the question would be who would want him that isn't a contender (because the real contenders don't need him)? His playoff struggles be damned, he's still an effective player in the NBA. Like if I was the Pelicans, I would trade Murray or McCollum in a heartbeat for Harden, I really would. If I was Miami and I could get him for Duncan Robinson and Terry Rozier's expiring contracts, I also would make that trade.

I'm not sure the upgrade is out there for the Clippers this offseason. I'd probably just run it back, but now you have to give the kids minutes. There were never enough minutes for Brown, Miller, Coffey or Christie in the regular season/playoffs. Also, going to need to find a legit backup center for Zubac.

Warriors should sign and trade Kuminga for Harden. They have no shooters besides Curry and need another guy who can create some offense.

[Dan Z]

I don't think either player has any trade value. Kawhi Leonard is 33 years old and injury prone, plus he's paid 50 million dollars for the next two seasons. Harden is 35 years old and will be paid 36 million next year.

For Harden, the question would be who would want him that isn't a contender (because the real contenders don't need him)? His playoff struggles be damned, he's still an effective player in the NBA. Like if I was the Pelicans, I would trade Murray or McCollum in a heartbeat for Harden, I really would. If I was Miami and I could get him for Duncan Robinson and Terry Rozier's expiring contracts, I also would make that trade.

I'm not sure the upgrade is out there for the Clippers this offseason. I'd probably just run it back, but now you have to give the kids minutes. There were never enough minutes for Brown, Miller, Coffey or Christie in the regular season/playoffs. Also, going to need to find a legit backup center for Zubac.

Warriors should sign and trade Kuminga for Harden. They have no shooters besides Curry and need another guy who can create some offense.

You think they should add another old player to their roster and one who is known for not doing well in the playoffs?

I thought Hield, Podz and Moody were good shooters?

[TimberKat]

Clippers has no first (or no control) until 2031, so they just run it back and keep building. Zubac has improved a lot. Simmons actually was good when he plays. The only problem is he seems hyperventilating if he is on the floor for more than 10 minutes. Kawhi is finally healthy. Dunn is serviceable player. There is enough depth that Harden doesn't need to be a twenty points scorer. Let's give it another year.

[Hugi Mancura]

Before the series it was known their one two punch (Kawhi + Harden) was weaker than Denvers (Jokic + Murray). So to win they needed other players to succeed. But Powell and Dunn were lot worse in this series than they were in regular season and Bogdanovic never found his place in this team. Also Harden failed badly in seventh game. They pretty much need to run this same team again. Which means first round exit next year too if they reach the playoffs. They shouldn't spend any more picks to improve this team. Kawhi and Harden is not good enough top 2 players to win.

[Clemenza]

Picked to finish #13 in the West and finished as the 5th seed. 50 wins with Kawhi missing half the season. That's a good season.

Next season: They're going to run it back with Harden, Kawhi, and Zu, but get a f*cking point guard. Stop bullsh*ting! Can't just be the "Harden System" and that's it on offense. Get a younger guard so we can go uptempo when the time calls for it and it also eliminates Harden playing 40 minutes and wearing down. Attach Norm to the 30th pick and move up in the draft. Much love to Norm, hell of a season, but his game doesn't translate to the post season. And yeah I'll say it again. Dumping KPJ and "star chasing" names in Ben Simmons was dumb and idiotic but typical of this front office. Mann is a much better post season performer than Bogdan, but whatever.

Play the f*cking kids. For the love of god cut the bullsh*t! Kobe was ready to contribute but of course we're supposed to believe in Ben Simmons and that bullsh*t move. He was unplayable! Since our draft cupboards are nearly empty, see what's up with Kobe Brown, Cam Christie, Trentyn Flowers, Pat Baldwin, and the 1st round pick we have. See if Reed Shepard can be had from Houston since he's riding the pine and they have no minutes for him whatsoever. Nice band-aid transition season, and we have a solid backbone, but start developing. Have some balls for a change and cut the shortcuts out. Disappointing ending, but still a lot of positives despite the lack of draft capital. If Zu improves even more next season he's on the all star ballot.

[Richard4444]

First of all, the Clippers lost a tough series. They lost by only two points in two games. Most of the games were pretty balanced. We know that a random sequence of plays can decide a match, build or break team's confidence. They could have won this series.

Denver is the 2023 NBA champion, and they have an excellent team. Especially in playoffs when experience matters and depth does not very much (assuming everybody is healthy, because you can play a short rotation). It is not a shame losing to them.

The Clippers can come back next season pretty strong. I know it is improbable that Kawhi and Harden will get another healthy end of season. But it's pretty possible. Besides, they can get more minimum-salary ring chasers to help next season because it is easier to believe now that Kawhi and Harden still have some gas in their tank. Last season, the consensus was that they were already done.

In the 37 regular-season games that Kawhi played this season, the Clippers got a 70% win ratio, which would make them the 4th best team in the league. If they had a higher seed, the last game would have been in Los Angeles, and they would have had a better chance of winning.

Because they do not own their picks until 2030, the rebuilding process will be a very tough assignment since tanking is not an option. Since the beginning of this decade, free agency has been weak as well. To make things worse, only an idiot (maybe Dallas?) would give great picks or prospects for Harden and Kawhi, considering the age, injury risk, and their salary in the new CBA scenario. In addition to that, I suspect they made a promise to Kawhi not to trade him away from his hometown. Is it worth irritating stars to get some scraps to start rebuilding? Or is it better to make a good relationship with the stars and their agents, considering LA is an attractive location?

[Mavrelous]

Keep everyone, sign depth pieces to one year deals, and position yourself to 2026 FA, once Harden, Powell and Bogi are off the books.

[FarBeyondDriven]

the owner is completely clueless and until he is sat down and things are explained to him, Clippers fans can expect to run it back, win enough games to make the playoffs and be one and done at best. This season was completely predictable and this whole era was set in motion because the owner cared more about having supposed star power for his arena opening than actually being competitive. If a championship is the goal they need to completely tear it down but with that owner it's never going to happen so irrelevancy will remain the norm.

[Wargreymon]

Picked to finish #13 in the West and finished as the 5th seed. 50 wins with Kawhi missing half the season. That's a good season.

Next season: They're going to run it back with Harden, Kawhi, and Zu, but get a f*cking point guard. Stop bullsh*ting! Can't just be the "Harden System" and that's it on offense. Get a younger guard so we can go uptempo when the time calls for it and it also eliminates Harden playing 40 minutes and wearing down. Attach Norm to the 30th pick and move up in the draft. Much love to Norm, hell of a season, but his game doesn't translate to the post season. And yeah I'll say it again. Dumping KPJ and "star chasing" names in Ben Simmons was dumb and idiotic but typical of this front office. Mann is a much better post season performer than Bogdan, but whatever.

Play the f*cking kids. For the love of god cut the bullsh*t! Kobe was ready to contribute but of course we're supposed to believe in Ben Simmons and that bullsh*t move. He was unplayable! Since our draft cupboards are nearly empty, see what's up with Kobe Brown, Cam Christie, Trentyn Flowers, Pat Baldwin, and the 1st round pick we have. See if Reed Shepard can be had from Houston since he's riding the pine and they have no minutes for him whatsoever. Nice band-aid transition season, and we have a solid backbone, but start developing. Have some balls for a change and cut the shortcuts out. Disappointing ending, but still a lot of positives despite the lack of draft capital. If Zu improves even more next season he's on the all star ballot.

Yeah I agree the Harden/Powell backcourt doesn't really work well together. They both kind of small defensively and can get bullied by bigger guards/wings when switched as well. Also both are kind of ball dominant and need it in their hands which is a problem when you also have to feed Kawhi

[Tomhomes33]

Kawhi leaving a championship team was the stupidest decision a player has ever made.

Very true

siakam is still in play offs in 2025
OG still i play offs in 2025
FVV still in play offs in 2025 and might single handed throw Warriors of the cliff tonight after destroying them in games 5 and 6

[Tomhomes33]

No clue what the Clippers can do. They have no picks for four years. No reason to tank. I personally thought they overachieved this year because I thought Kawhi was finished. I guess, they're still a playoff quality team, however, they might need to re-embrace their underdog role. They don't play well as a favorite at all.

OPTION 1 - Harden options in.
they have to run in one more time with Kawhy, Harden Zu and Powell..no choice really
But there is a risk Kawhy can get injured and then you are totally screwed.
Should LAC trade Kawhy now for 2 young prospects and 4-5 FRP..YES in my opinion.
Start rebuilding year ahead

OPTION 2 - Harden options out.
Immediate rebuild. Trade Kawhy and Powell for FRPs and 1-2 young prospects and hope to get top 3 draft pick in 2027.

[Tomhomes33]

Kawhy can easily generate 3-4 FRPs and 1-2 young prospects right now
OKC has tone of picks and would take him to par with SAG in a heart bit.
This is what I would do, especially if OKC does NOT win it all this season.

As for Harden, its a real problem. If Harden options -in who would want him as 1yr loan basically.
Only if he extends immedaitely with the new team than ship him for one FRP and few expeiring contracts. (if uou can get that)

[UcanUwill]

I know we are on the heat of the moment, but I am surprised I am in minority who voted - performed better than expected. I wasn't sure Clips would even be in a playoffs, Powell and Zubac were MIP candidates, Harden wasn't awful.

[UcanUwill]

Kawhy can easily generate 3-4 FRPs and 1-2 young prospects right now
OKC has tone of picks and would take him to par with SAG in a heart bit.
This is what I would do, especially if OKC does NOT win it all this season.

As for Harden, its a real problem. If Harden options -in who would want him as 1yr loan basically.
Only if he extends immedaitely with the new team than ship him for one FRP and few expeiring contracts. (if uou can get that)

No one is giving 3-4 first rounders and young players for Kawhi on that contract, they will be lucky to just get out of that contract.

[Tomhomes33]

Kawhy can easily generate 3-4 FRPs and 1-2 young prospects right now
OKC has tone of picks and would take him to par with SAG in a heart bit.
This is what I would do, especially if OKC does NOT win it all this season.

As for Harden, its a real problem. If Harden options -in who would want him as 1yr loan basically.
Only if he extends immedaitely with the new team than ship him for one FRP and few expeiring contracts. (if uou can get that)

No one is giving 3-4 first rounders and young players for Kawhi on that contract, they will be lucky to just get out of that contract.

If okc fails to win it all and you iffer them Kawhy to pair with SAG you can easily get at least 4FRPs and one of their young stars.
indiana would offer few FRPs and a good player back.
There are teams that would welcome Kawhy, he was great this series, not sensational but still great

[UcanUwill]

Kawhy can easily generate 3-4 FRPs and 1-2 young prospects right now
OKC has tone of picks and would take him to par with SAG in a heart bit.
This is what I would do, especially if OKC does NOT win it all this season.

As for Harden, its a real problem. If Harden options -in who would want him as 1yr loan basically.
Only if he extends immedaitely with the new team than ship him for one FRP and few expeiring contracts. (if uou can get that)

No one is giving 3-4 first rounders and young players for Kawhi on that contract, they will be lucky to just get out of that contract.

If okc fails to win it all and you iffer them Kawhy to pair with SAG you can easily get at least 4FRPs and one of their young stars.
indiana would offer few FRPs and a good player back.
There are teams that would welcome Kawhy, he was great this series, not sensational but still great

Dude, just cause OKC has picks, doesn't mean they just give them some. Kawhi is barely a positive trade asset, if at all, you paying him 50 million in 2027. OKC can reach way higher than Kawhi in 2025, they can land Giannis for starters. WHy they need a broken ass Kawhi Leonard on 149 million dollar contract?

[Fencer reregistered]

Kawhi leaving a championship team was the stupidest decision a player has ever made.

I don't think he cares about legacy. Home was more important to him. Doubt he has any regrets.

His really big mistake was forcing the SGA for PG trade.

Kawhi plus SGA plus a healthy set of picks plus Jerry West's team-building skills plus Steve Ballmer's wallet -- that could have been something.

[PlatinumState]

Hopefully this is Ben Simmons last stop

[Edrees]

Kawhi leaving a championship team was the stupidest decision a player has ever made.

I'll defend the decision. It wasn't about basketball. It was about where he wanted to live. He isn't the first or last player to prefer a weaker franchise in their home city.

It's one thing to go from a 2nd round exit team to a non contender. It wont make a difference. But to go from a situation where you just won a title and can win more to a worse situation is unprecedented choice by a superstar.

[druggas]

They have "what if" talent. Usually goes good in the regular season, but comes up short in the playoffs.