While some teams around the NBA are pushing their chips in for a short-term winning window, the LA Clippers are quietly preparing for a moment further down the road. That moment is the summer of 2027, when the organization will have maximum cap space and not many committed players as of right now, giving them a clean slate to pursue their next franchise star.
Ivica Zubac is currently the only player under contract for the 2027–28 season in LA. Kawhi Leonard’s deal will have expired by then. James Harden’s future remains uncertain, but it is highly unlikely he remains with the team past his current contract, which will run through the summer of 2027.
Having that kind of flexibility is rare, especially for a team in a major market that has remained competitive every single year. Most contenders find themselves stuck in no-man’s land at some point or another, especially in this current CBA landscape. Many end up with big contracts that are hard to trade or aging star players no one wants.
The Clippers can land their next franchise star in 2027
The Clippers, on the other hand, have shown a willingness to pivot and adapt. And while the team will remain competitive in 2025–26, the front office is no longer tied to championship-or-bust expectations. The ceiling for an aging core of Leonard and Harden is understandably growing lower with each passing year, and many fans seem content to just go ahead and move on to the next era of Clippers basketball sooner rather than later.
When 2027 comes around, the Clippers will still be operating out of the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome, Steve Ballmer will still be writing the checks, and the front office will have full autonomy and plenty of space to reshape the roster from the ground up. Perhaps most importantly, Los Angeles will remain one of the most desirable destinations in the league. Warm weather, national exposure, first-class facilities, and the Clippers can offer all that without the circus that often surrounds the Lakers.
It is still too early to know which stars might be available two years from now. But when the time comes, there will be players with talent looking for a fresh start and a big stage. Los Angeles offers both. The Clippers know that, and they are positioning themselves to strike. For now, the organization can cling on to the hope of Kawhi Leonard turning back the clock in the playoffs. But down the road, a new era is waiting to begin as well.