Clippers' Early-Season Slide Raises Big Questions, Even as Rookie Kobe Sanders Emerges
Twenty games into the season, the LA Clippers look nothing like the team many expected to see. Coming into the year, the narrative was simple: this roster had been upgraded.
Holes from last season were patched, veteran experience was added, and the depth chart looked deeper than it had in years. But now, sitting at 5-15, the reality is a lot harder to swallow.
The biggest issue? This team just can’t close.
In the past week alone, the Clippers held fourth-quarter leads against both the Grizzlies and Mavericks-only to walk away with two more losses. The combined margin?
Nine points. That’s the kind of stat that keeps coaches up at night.
For a group with championship-level expectations, these late-game collapses are more than growing pains-they’re red flags.
A Season Already Hit by Major Blows
The struggles haven’t just been on the court. Off it, the Clippers were hit with two gut punches.
First, news broke that Bradley Beal would miss the rest of the season after undergoing hip surgery. Beal had only suited up six times and was putting up the lowest scoring numbers of his career.
Then came Chris Paul’s announcement that this would be his final season-a reminder that this team is racing against the clock in more ways than one.
Kawhi, Harden, and a Rookie Surprise
There have been a few silver linings. Kawhi Leonard, when he’s been active, has looked like his usual two-way force.
James Harden has shown flashes of his old MVP-caliber self, reminding fans he’s still got plenty in the tank. But perhaps the most unexpected development has been the emergence of second-round rookie Kobe Sanders.
Sanders has appeared in 12 games-starting three-and is averaging around six points per game with solid efficiency. But the box score doesn’t tell the whole story.
He’s been doing the little things: diving for loose balls, making the extra pass, and showing a defensive tenacity that’s hard to teach. He’s not a finished product, especially when it comes to playmaking, but he’s already carved out a role on a team that desperately needs youthful energy.
Contract Limitations and a Roster Crunch
The problem? Sanders is on a two-way deal, which limits him to just 38 more games this season unless the Clippers convert him to a standard contract. That’s a decision the front office will need to make sooner rather than later, especially if he continues to be one of the few bright spots in the rotation.
The other roster issue that’s come into focus is shot creation. With Norman Powell gone, LA lacks a reliable third scorer who can create off the dribble. Chris Paul is still a maestro running the second unit, and Bogdan Bogdanović has had his moments, but neither has consistently filled that void.
Could Victor Oladipo Be the Answer?
That’s where Victor Oladipo enters the conversation. He hasn’t played in the NBA since 2023, but he’s been active-most recently putting up 24 points on 66.7% shooting in a preseason game against the Clippers while playing for the Guangzhou Loong-Lions. He’s now with the Wisconsin Herd in the G-League and has been productive, averaging over 14 points per game on efficient shooting during the G-League tip-off tournament.
Oladipo fits a familiar mold for the Clippers: a veteran with a history of injuries, but also a track record of high-level play. We’ve seen this before-Nicolas Batum, Chris Paul, and even Bradley Beal were all brought in with the hope of career revitalization. Oladipo, a two-time All-Star during his days with the Pacers, brings exactly what this team is missing: shot creation, perimeter defense, and a spark off the bench.
But there’s a catch. Bringing him in could cut into Sanders’ minutes, which would be a tough pill to swallow given the rookie’s early impact. It’s a classic win-now vs. build-for-later dilemma-and with the clock ticking on this core, the Clippers may not have the luxury of patience.
The Road Ahead
There’s no sugarcoating it: 5-15 is not where this team expected to be. The margin for error is shrinking, and if the Clippers want to salvage this season, they’ll need to start closing out games, fast. Whether that means leaning more on Sanders, making a move for Oladipo, or finding another answer entirely, something has to give.
Because right now, the championship window isn’t just closing-it’s creaking on its hinges.