A media outlet decided to dunk on the Los Angeles Clippers again.
Although the team has only been out of action for a week, the unrelenting firestorm swirling around the organization shows no signs of slowing down. The Tinseltown market certainly plays a role, but so do the lingering questions surrounding some of the game's most prominent stars of the last decade.
There's a lot of buzz about the Clippers' impending move to the Intuit Dome next season and the desire to have marquee names to help establish their newfound identity away from the cross-town rival Lakers. How can they try to shed their little brother moniker with Terance Mann as the center of the marquee?
The alleged solution is to keep at least part of the current core intact despite a myriad of evidence suggesting that this is a terrible idea. The franchise is at a serious crossroads. Everything hinges on this summer window, and those around the industry are taking notice. The staff at Bleacher Report ranked teams based on potential offseason drama, and the Clippers took the top spot. At least Kawhi Leonard and Paul George finally won something.
"As the Clippers prepare to move into a glistening new arena for the 2024-25 season, a transition they'd probably like to make with a starry, contending roster," Grant Hughes wrote on behalf of the staff. "Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has typically made money no object. He could green-light the largest possible salaries for George, Harden, and Lue to keep things together. But after five seasons in the Kawhi-PG era, no Finals appearances, and just three total postseason wins since 2021, it's hard to see the upside of that plan."
The Clippers need to deeply evaluate their options
The club didn't want to let Leonard leave without some sort of return, but by extending him first, they have limited options for revitalizing this roster. George has been arguably far more productive during his tenure, so what kind of precedent gets set by letting him walk? Is there any point in dealing with James Harden's jekyll-and-hyde nature besides the fact that he looks great on a poster?
Some of the decisions are less interesting but still significant. Is it worth paying 30-year-old Norm Powell after a career season? Amir Coffey archetypes grow on trees, but would bringing him back on a team-friendly deal be an option? If Terance Mann were this alleged untradable asset, what would his future with the organization look like if he didn't agree to a new contract?
The questions are endless, with most having clarity in the coming months. The possibility of chaos is apparent. The focus must be on building a competitive team on the floor and not worrying about how filled their new home is.