To achieve as much as they did in the 2024-25 regular season, despite having a one-of-a-kind defensive identity, the LA Clippers assembled a portfolio of hard work and moments of success, acknowledging moments of failure along the way. There were games where the rim felt enlarged, as countless attempts took place within a heat check, and others where the defense had its bolts tightened.
However, last season was the first without the two-way presence of Paul George. He moved on to the Philadelphia 76ers, being regarded as a legend in LA, but his contract kept the front office at a standstill, preventing the aspirations that needed to be fulfilled.
George departed, and Lawrence Frank took the Clippers headfirst in trying a new structure with the prized additions of Derrick Jones Jr. and Kris Dunn. These two single-handedly supported Ivica Zubac in elevating the team’s defense to a surreal and impeccable level.
Furthermore, regardless of what the Clippers had planned for the offseason, a key priority should have been to maintain the defensive foundation that had been built. With Kawhi Leonard finally healthy on day one of the regular season, the expectation shifted to making next season record-breaking.
On the contrary, the front office took notes, but they did not have their ears fully open, as the additions made appear to be in apparent disagreement with what made the Clippers’ 2024-25 50-win campaign special.
The LA Clippers ignored their defensive identity thoroughly after just one season of Paul George being gone
The front office rightfully used Paul George’s contract on top-notch defenders, and it worked. Yet, with a mid-level exception, the LA Clippers added a combination of question marks on the perimeter when they could have pursued players with an IQ high enough to force consistent stops.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker was one of the top free agents available, and although he had the choice of signing with the team he desired, the Atlanta Hawks, the Clippers’ push was likely not convincing enough, as their minds may have been made up on adding Brook Lopez and Bradley Beal.
The Clippers essentially neglected what worked, which could disappoint the fan base in a way that few people can imagine. Everyone inside the organization and out is expecting the team to inch closer to the 60-win threshold, but with Lawrence Frank shying away from the most significant takeaway of last season, a disaster is as predictable as the early morning sunrise.