Timing in professional basketball is impeccable, and front offices around the NBA are expected to make accurate evaluations on when to move players around. Superstars tend to have longer stints than role players, but usually status is meaningless when the goal of the owner and executive(s) is to look out for the team's best interests.
This leads to the concept that, regardless of the circumstances, the NBA is a complicated business, and there are no hard feelings when a beloved player is traded or not re-signed. In fact, even when certain guys exit, they still receive ovations and a tribute video when they return to the home stadium.
The LA Clippers have been in this situation many times, but in three specific instances, right after a transaction was made, their careers took a significant turn.
3. Justise Winslow
The LA Clippers were highly excited to welcome Justise Winslow to the team. He had an exceptional run in the Eastern Conference with the Miami Heat, and this is what the front office considered before signing him to a two-year deal after he spent one season with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Thirty-seven games passed, and Winslow averaged 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds, shooting 44.7% from the field as a Clipper. These numbers were unpredictable, yet the Portland Trail Blazers were willing to take on Winslow and others in a deal centered on Norman Powell.
Winslow finished 2021-22 with the Trail Blazers, played 29 games in 2022-23, and soon found a more appealing job overseas. This shows how LA saw the green light to move on, and took it, which was a sage decision.
2. Reggie Jackson
In 2021-22, Kawhi Leonard sat the whole season, and Reggie Jackson snatched the opportunity to prove he can score like any other elite point guard in the NBA. He had game-winners, like his memorable finish against the Los Angeles Lakers, and several ankle-breakers that fans boasted about.
However, Jackson was in an unnecessary role, and with a void on the bench, the LA Clippers' front office traded him to the Charlotte Hornets for Mason Plumlee. Thereafter, he has bounced around the league and was most recently waived by the Washington Wizards on February 6th, 2025.
1. Montrezl Harrell
Although Montrezl Harrell was one of the best sixth men in the world with the LA Clippers, having won the award once, his lack of size in the 2020 playoffs, versus Nikola Jokic, held the team back from holding on to their notable 3-1 lead.
Thus, the Clippers did not re-sign him, and he signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was still great, but the Lakers' front office found Russell Westbrook more appealing and traded the big man to the Washington Wizards.
Harrell's work ethic and motor never stopped, as he tried his best to stay in the league, but after the Philadelphia 76ers waived him in 2023, no team has shown enough interest to offer him a roster spot. This proves that the Clippers acted at the best time by choosing not to re-sign him.