Offseason Approach

Bring back key free agents and find frontcourt depth

Actual Cap Space

-$52.2 million

Practical Cap Space

-$46.7 million

Projected Luxury Tax Space

$53.4 million

Under Contract (12)

Patrick Baldwin Jr. (two-way)
Bogdan Bogdanovic
Kobe Brown
Cam Christie
Kris Dunn
Drew Eubanks (non-guaranteed)
Derrick Jones Jr.
Kawhi Leonard
Seth Lundy (two-way)
Jordan Miller (non-guaranteed)
Norman Powell
Ivica Zubac

View Roster

Potential Free Agents (6)

Nicolas Batum (unrestricted – player option)
Amir Coffey (unrestricted)
Trentyn Flowers (restricted – two-way)
James Harden (unrestricted – player option)
Patty Mills (unrestricted)
Ben Simmons (unrestricted)

View Free Agents

Dead Cap (0)

None

Projected Signing Exceptions

Non-Taxpayer MLE ($14.1 million)
(The Bi-Annual Exception is unavailable after being used to sign Nicolas Batum in 2024-25)

Notable Trade Exceptions

P.J. Tucker ($6.5 million)
Bones Hyland ($4.2 million)

First Round Draft Pick

#30

Notable Extension Candidates

Amir Coffey (veteran extension – through June 30)
Norman Powell (veteran extension)

Analysis

The LA Clippers pushed the Denver Nuggets to the brink in the first round. While losing that early in the playoffs certainly stings, it shows that the Clippers are still a dangerous group when they’re healthy.

This summer, LA needs to bring back some of their key guys, while adding depth. That seems simple, but it’s far easier said than done.

James Harden is atop the priority list for the team’s free agents. Most expect Harden to opt out of his $36.3 million deal, but to remain with the Clippers. The idea behind opting out would be to add years to his deal, it not necessarily dollars. Look for Harden to sign a two-year deal that falls somewhere between $70 and $80 million. That would align his contract with the two years that Kawhi Leonard has remaining on his deal. The $35 to $40 million AAV would also allow the team flexibility to work under the first apron to add depth.

Nicolas Batum is the team’s next most important free agent. He’s likely to opt in for one more year at $4.9 million. That’s big for LA, as Batum is an important part of the team’s frontcourt rotation. He’s still a savvy defender and can hit a spot-up jumper.

Amir Coffey is in an interesting spot. He put together a really nice season as a 3&D wing. However, as the Clippers got healthy late in the season and the playoffs, Coffey’s role was reduced. LA would probably like him back, but he’d be rejoining a pretty crowded wing group. That could see Coffey move elsewhere for a bigger role.

Ben Simmons didn’t have a huge impact for the Clippers, but seemed to find himself some after arriving late following a buyout from the Nets. LA used him like a rim-rolling, small-ball, playmaking big. That’s probably Simmons’ ideal role. He could be back for another run, likely on a minimum deal.

LA is reportedly going to move on from Drew Eubanks, by waiving him before his contract guarantees. Patty Mills will probably stay in touch, but it’s unclear if he’ll play for a 17th NBA season or not. Trentyn Flowers should be brought back on another two-way deal to continue his development.

If the Clippers lose Coffey, they’ve got enough wing depth to cover, especially if Cam Christie or Jordan Miller is ready for a bigger role next season. Losing Eubanks isn’t a massive loss, but it would further weaken a light frontcourt.

After re-signing Harden and bringing back Batum, LA has to add frontcourt depth. Ivica Zubac has become one of the better starting centers in the NBA, but there’s nothing behind him. The good news? Center is the one position with some depth in free agency.

Pending how much Harden re-signs for, the Clippers should have enough room under the first apron to fit in a signing for the full Non-Taxpayer MLE. That should give LA significant spending power to add frontcourt depth. Free agents who could fit in for some or all of the MLE include Bobby Portis, Clint Capela, Luke Kornet, Steven Adams, Trey Lyles, Larry Nance Jr., Guerschon Yabusele or Al Horford (if he chooses to keep playing and leaves Boston).

At the draft, the Clips have the 30th pick in the first round. That’s a spot where they could select a center. There are several prospects who could step in and play as a backup as a rookie. Players who fit that mold include Thomas Sorber, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Maxime Raynaud and Johni Broome. All would be really solid backups behind Zubac right away.

Of course, there are always trades to fill holes on the roster. The Clippers have already been linked to Kevin Durant. They become an intriguing trade partner for the Suns, because LA can deliver Phoenix a package of good players on expiring and short-term contracts. That allows the Suns to stay competitive, while also cleaning up their salary sheet considerably moving forward.

The real question: Should LA trade significant depth to build a team around Durant, Leonard and Harden. That trio looks good on paper, but age, injuries and fit are real concerns.

More attainable targets could include Jrue Holiday or Kristaps Porzingis. Boston is in a similar situation to Phoenix, as far as shedding salary to get under the second apron. The Celtics also don’t seem likely to rebuild, so getting established players back makes sense for them.

A trade with the Mavericks to acquire P.J. Washington or Daniel Gafford could also make sense for the Clippers. In that kind of deal, LA could send Norman Powell to help balance out their roster, while getting the Mavs some additional guard depth. Portland is another possible trade partner, as the Trail Blazers have several veterans in their frontcourt that could move this offseason.

As far as potential extensions go, Norman Powell is the eligible player to watch here. He’s been terrific for LA since they acquired him a few years ago. If Powell was open to signing a shorter-term extension, it could make sense for him and the Clippers to line his deal up with that of Zubac’s. That allows the team flexibility moving forward. If Powell wants a major raise, or to lock in long-term, LA is best to let this one play out. They’d have the ability to extend Powell through June 30 of 2026, so there’s no real rush here either.

Expect the LA Clippers to be active in free agency or in trade talks. They might not swing a blockbuster deal, but LA doesn’t really need to either. The Clippers are close, if they make the right moves and add depth. And the cap sheet is remarkably clean moving forward, considering where this team was just a couple of seasons ago. Expect keeping long-term flexibility, while strengthening the team over the next two seasons to be the guideposts for the Clippers this offseason.