In the span of one season, the LA Clippers’ front office changed the game for multi-tasking. They proved that two eras can be focused on at once, simultaneously, while making a serious attempt at a championship pursuit.
Everyone, including fans of the Clippers, was confused last summer about what the blueprint was. Adding Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. were for-now additions, as their age and contracts portrayed how the front office was not planning on keeping them in the long-term future. They are valuable role players, but not guys that a team in 2025 would build around.
Moreover, the Clippers trusted stars James Harden and Ivica Zubac to remain available and keep the team in the playoff race, so that Lawrence Frank could manage the team without worry and build a strategy for the future.
Both goals were accomplished, and in the latest “Future Power Rankings” from ESPN, Bobby Marks, a credible insider, enlightened the NBA community on how elite LA’s front office is.
ESPN ensured everyone knew the LA Clippers were top-notch in money and management
In the NBA, there are usually two categories of teams: rebuilding and championship-contending. Those working on their future evidently have more cap room, as their rosters are composed of rookie contracts and role-playing veterans. On the contrary, the ones fighting for a ring have a maxed-out payroll with splits going to superstars and several star talents.
The LA Clippers used to just be a championship contender. Still, by avoiding Paul George’s contract wants and his signing with the Philadelphia 76ers, they became the team that has a future without draft capital.
Moreover, Lawrence Frank dropped one domino after another, and eventually pushed the franchise in the direction of maximum freedom in the 2027 offseason. They will have money to spend wherever they like, and Frank did this while the team was still competing.
This shows how the Clippers are elite in management and finance, which were two of ESPN’s goals in their latest “Future Power Rankings” of each team. In fact, out of the entire league, they had LA ranked second in management and fifth in money.
Additionally, in ESPN’s list, the only area the Clippers truly lacked in is the draft, which is understandable, as the front office has been underwhelming for years now in building a young core through the selection of their late first-round picks and second-round decisions.