When hurt and in need of production, the LA Clippers were left with one option, and one option only, and that was to force heavy minutes on their veterans. This was a shortcut, and though it is a real-life principle to avoid the easy route, the Clippers were limited in breathing room.
In the end, what the fans and the front office may have realized is that they were running veterans into the ground. Role players playing over the age of 30 should not have the duties of a first or second option, as they are accustomed to starring in one or multiple roles and are paid well below the superstar minimum.
Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris Sr., for multiple seasons, were used differently with the Clippers than the way the Detroit Pistons utilized them. They went from a spot-up shooters and floor-spacers to offensive units that declined out of the blue.
That said, James Harden is indeed on a payroll countless tiers above Morris Sr. and Jackson, but being a veteran playing heavy minutes, the same concept could apply. This transcends the worry from a playoff decline to overall concerns, which was recently mentioned by one of LA’s most credible beat writers.
All-NBA point guard James Harden may decline as a superstar in the 2025-26 regular season, worrying fans of the LA Clippers even further
The LA Clippers were right to feel uneasy about James Harden in the postseason, but another nightmare could be around the corner for the 11-time All-Star with the team’s recent troubles. This concerns Kawhi Leonard and the investigation he is under, which may lead to similar absences as last season.
Furthermore, Leonard may not be available against the Utah Jazz, and the Clippers will need Harden to replicate another season of 35-plus minutes per game for over 70 contests. This may work from the jump, but later on, Law Murray of the Athletic addressed on a podcast that he may not be able to bounce back after carrying such a heavy load last season.
The Clippers expected the same from Marcus Morris Sr. and Reggie Jackson, and once they declined, Tyronn Lue instantly took them out of the rotation. This worked with LA’s role players at the time, but Harden was just paid like an All-NBA superstar, potentially causing more trouble if he is the next aging veteran to experience a drop off.