The LA Clippers are 11–21 and riding a five-game winning streak, which matters for the present. But the more important development might be what the team has learned along the way. In the middle of a season that was supposed to be all about surviving with aging stars, the Clippers were forced into something they never intended to do: play their young guys.
And it turns out, that might change everything.
While Kawhi Leonard is reminding the league who he is and James Harden is stabilizing the offense, two young players have quietly altered the conversation around the franchise’s future. Yanic Konan Niederhauser and Kobe Sanders aren’t saving the season, but they are doing something just as valuable: proving the Clippers aren’t as asset-empty as everyone assumed.
For a franchise that mortgaged nearly every draft pick through 2030 and assembled one of the oldest rosters in NBA history, finding legitimate young contributors felt unrealistic. The expectation was simple: roll with Leonard and Harden until the wheels fall off, then brace for a long, painful rebuild with nothing to show for it.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser is making himself impossible to ignore
Yanic Konan Niederhauser didn’t enter the season with a role. The 22-year-old center, selected 30th overall in the 2025 draft, spent the first two months glued to the bench while veterans soaked up minutes. Tyronn Lue leaned on experience, even when it wasn’t producing results, and Niederhauser watched.
Then injuries, losing, and rotation changes forced the LA Clippers to look deeper.
Once Niderhauser started seeing real minutes, the impact was immediate. He brought physicality, energy, and a willingness to do the unglamorous work that helps stars thrive. Against the Detroit Pistons, he gave the Clippers productive backup center minutes, setting crushing screens, holding his ground inside, and creating offense without needing the ball.
Niederhauser's strength is special as he can take big hits inside against the biggest guys. In one game alone, the Clippers generated roughly countless points directly from actions initiated through his screens, most of them involving Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.
Defensively, the mistakes are still there. Niederhauser can get out of position and overcommit, which is expected from a rookie center. But, the effort is undeniable. He contests shots, plays with urgency, and brings an edge that was often missing earlier in the season.
Most importantly, he’s improving game by game. Against the Sacramento Kings, he had a career-high 16 points and six rebounds, proving he is learning reads, adjusting to NBA speed, and growing more comfortable with each appearance. For a team with limited future draft capital, finding a late first-round big who can already survive rotation minutes is a massive win.
Kobe Sanders has turned opportunity into trust
Kobe Sanders’ rise has followed a similar path. The second-round rookie barely played early in the season, but once the rotation loosened, he started carving out a role. During the winning streak, Sanders has provided shooting, energy, and a level of confidence that stands out on a veteran-heavy roster.
He’s hit open threes, attacked closeouts, and played without fear. He’s made mistakes like the five turnovers against Oklahoma City, but he hasn’t let them rattle him. That resilience is where you can see him being an impactful player in the future.
The LA Clippers desperately needed guard help after releasing Chris Paul and dealing with constant injuries elsewhere. Sanders’ ability to space the floor and function within the offense has given Tyronn Lue another option next to Harden, and his willingness to shoot keeps defenses honest.
He needs as much playing time as possible to develop reps. Sanders is playing 15–20 minutes per night, and the results justify the trust.
The Clippers' outlook has seen a significant change
The LA Clippers don’t control their 2026 first-round pick. They also lack cap flexibility, while Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are still carrying massive financial weight.
What has changed is the idea that the franchise has nothing waiting on the other side.
If Yanic Konan Niederhauser develops into a reliable rotation center and Kobe Sanders settles in as a legitimate bench guard, the Clippers suddenly have two young, affordable pieces they didn’t expect to rely on.
Add Derrick Jones Jr. and John Collins, both still just 28, along with Cam Christie, who is 20, the team has the beginnings of a post-superstar foundation. This may not be a contender, but definitely something functional to build on.
The key now is resisting old habits. When veterans return to full health, the Clippers can’t default back to burying young players out of comfort. Niederhauser needs continued minutes and Sanders needs room to grow through mistakes. This season isn’t lost, but it also isn’t championship-or-bust anymore.
Sometimes progress doesn’t come from a master plan, it comes from being forced to try something new.
Three weeks ago, the Clippers’ future looked bleak. Now, thanks to two young players forcing their way into the rotation, it appears survivable. And for a franchise staring down the end of an era, that’s more than anyone expected.