For Bleacher Report, Jake Fischer of “The Stein Line” mentioned that the LA Clippers’ focus is contending for the playoffs. And though that may shock some, given the major changes the front office has made since the February trade deadline, the roster is more than competent enough to at least battle for a spot in the play-in tournament. The star power is there, the depth is strong, and at the end of the day, LA’s head coach is Tyronn Lue, a certified winner.
The Los Angeles Clippers are focused on building out a “playoff caliber” team for the 2026-27 NBA season, per @JakeLFischer on Bleacher Report.
— APHoops (@APH00PS) September 15, 2026
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However, despite everything they do have, whether the Clippers make the playoffs or are bottom-feeders in the Western Conference will depend on their X-factor: Brook Lopez. That’s because there is such a small margin for error at the center position, considering there is no real depth behind him.
All in all, for a 38-year-old, being given this title is far from ideal, but that's the reality of the situation. There’s really no other way around it.
The LA Clippers’ ceiling is ultimately in the hands of Brook Lopez
For the course of the season, let’s say Brook Lopez consistently averages double-figure points, is a factor in the rebounding department, and protects the rim at a high level (like he usually does). In that case, barring any major injuries, there is absolutely no way the LA Clippers finish lower than the ninth seed in the Western Conference.
Their biggest concern, which is at the center position, wouldn’t exist, and beyond that, they would already have the remaining pieces of the puzzle every playoff-contending team possesses.
In the same breath, though, if Lopez underperforms as he did for a chunk of the 2025-26 regular season, the Clippers will see far more losses than wins in their record, at least until Yanic Konan Niederhauser makes a full recovery from the Lisfranc injury he suffered in February.
Why? Well, Tyronn Lue would have to change the entire scheme to keep Lopez off the floor.
Quite frankly, that’ll be tough. The strength at center is pretty thin, and if Lue wanted to go small-ball, he can’t, due to the fact that there is no power forward on the roster capable of filling in for a five-man.
That said, at the end of the day, Lopez is the Clippers’ x-factor. Could it work out? Yes. But it’ll be tough, which is why the front office should’ve handled the team option differently.
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