Understanding the LA Clippers Cap Situation Before Free Agency

Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the Los Angeles Clippers logo during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the Los Angeles Clippers logo during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6), guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) come off the bench in the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Kings won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6), guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) come off the bench in the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Kings won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Most likely outcome

The salary cap has trapped us and it’s not all Doc’s fault. Blake Griffin and Chris Paul will command a lot of money from any team. Add in DeAndre and having three stars on a team is no easy task to navigate. There’s a reason that Cleveland shells out a ton of money in luxury tax each year.

LA Clippers’ fans are tired of getting the same old result every season. I sympathize with that. However, with no assets in the future, the best bet is probably just to re-sign the guys and keep hoping the team gets that lucky break. If Doc can manage to not trade any more draft picks, maybe the team can start to develop players in the future.

It’s definitely a painful route to go. There will be disappointment and failure. But, it’s probably best to just grind it out and wait for the team to develop. A rebuild is no guarantee. Look how long it has taken Philadelphia to finally hit their mark. If the Lakers lose their pick this season, they will be stuck in a rebuild with no sure signs of change. Having a 50 win team isn’t the worst thing in the world, especially because you can jump start a rebuild by trading away a star.

In the words of Ralph Lawler: Buckle up Clippers’ fans.