The LA Clippers entered the 2024-25 NBA season hoping for change. The Intuit Dome is open for business, Paul George left in free agency, and the Clippers appeared ready to turn over a new leaf as they attempted to take the next step toward establishing a new identity.
Unfortunately, the most familiar pitfall of all has reared its head just before the beginning of the 2024-25 regular season—and LA has been left scrambling for answers.
The Clippers made waves in free agency by adding former Dallas Mavericks standout Derrick Jones Jr. on a three-year, $30 million contract. It also brought James Harden back on a two-year, $70 million deal, and added Kevin Porter Jr. for a minimal cost.
Unfortunately, those moves lost a bit of luster when Shams Charania of ESPN reported that franchise player Kawhi Leonard will miss an undisclosed period of time as he rehabilitates his right knee.
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is expected to be sidelined for indefinite period of time to start the NBA season as he rehabilitates the inflammation in his right knee, league sources tell me and @NotoriousOHM. pic.twitter.com/M5wFYIWGiv
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 17, 2024
Unfortunately, the Clippers' pursuit of an elusive championship has taken a devastating turn for the worst. Leonard is the best player on the roster and was thus set to be trusted to lead the team into an era that would be perhaps unexpectedly played without George.
As LA searches for answers to the persistent Leonard dilemma, however, the daunting reality that they must pivot will soon set in—and three crucial changes must take place.
1. Adjust the rotation as though Leonard isn't coming back
The most obvious move that the Clippers must make is to adjust the starting lineup. Rather than making a temporary change to accommodate Leonard's eventual return, however, LA must put together a group that it can prioritize throughout the 2024-25 season.
The ideal outcome would obviously be for Leonard to return sooner than later, but the Clippers will only survive the stretch without him if they plan as though he isn't coming back.
Harden and Norman Powell are likely to start in the backcourt, while Terrance Mann is all but locked into a starting role with his new $47 million contract. Ivica Zubac will start at center, leaving the question mark at forward.
The most obvious choice is the small-ball lineup that would be rounded out by Derrick Jones Jr. stepping in and starting in Leonard's place, primarily due to his defensive instincts.
The starting five may be easy enough to resolve, with one of Jones, Mann, or Powell moving to the second unit once Leonard returns. The bigger question is what the Clippers can do for depth with who would've otherwise been their top reserve now in the starting lineup.
The simple answer: Ride the preseason momentum of Kris Dunn, Kai Jones, and Kevin Porter Jr., and explore the trade market.
2. If LAC won't throw in the towel, then consider a Zach LaVine trade
The Clippers are at a crossroads that will go a long way toward defining the immediate future of the organization. Leonard is on the books through 2026-27, Harden has a player option for 2025-26 that he may decline if his co-star's health issues persist, and Norman Powell will be a free agent in 2026.
With the possibility existing that the Clippers' vision will blow up as soon as next summer, it's time to consider a trade for an impact player if they aren't willing to simply let that scenario play out.
A number of intriguing names exist on the trade market, albeit at potentially steep prices. The two All-Stars whom the Clippers could most realistically target are Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans and Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls.
New Orleans is reportedly reluctant to sign Ingram to an extension, while Chicago has been open to trading LaVine since last November—before an injury all but ended his season.
The price of a potential trade would be steep, and the lack of tradable draft assets complicates any potential discussion. As such, the more likely outcome is that the Clippers would have to take on a less-than-desirable salary—which LaVine may still qualify as.
Bobby Marks of ESPN reported in June that the Bulls are open to simply dumping LaVine's salary, meaning LA could make something happen by simply matching salaries.
If the Clippers won't admit defeat, then a trade for LaVine could at least provide some degree of excitement in the first year at a new venue.
3. Seriously consider that the Kawhi Leonard era must end
The outcome that no one wants to see happen, but the Clippers may soon need to consider is that the Leonard era has run its course. He's one of the greatest players in NBA history, and his mere decision to join LA did wonders for the franchise.
Leonard is now 33 years of age, however, and his extensive injury history doesn't exactly suggest that he'll be able to remain healthy the older he gets.
Leonard appeared in all but 14 games last season, but only played two during the playoffs. He also missed 30 games in 2022-23, as well as additional postseason time, and was absent for 20 games in 2021-22, when the team finished ninth in the standings.
Leonard is still one of the best players on the planet when he's healthy, but with Harden eligible for free agency in 2025, it's going to be harder than ever to convince new players to come to town.
The unfortunate truth is that the Clippers must at least consider the possibility that the Leonard era is nearing its end. His rapidly approaching extension deadline is becoming a bigger question mark than ever before and there's reason to believe that the franchise should opt against signing him to one.
That's a bridge that will be crossed at a later time, but the best course of action may be to simply see what the current team can achieve and reevaluate next summer.