Why the Clippers Can’t Wait Any Longer on Jordan Miller and Kobe Sanders
The clock is ticking in Los Angeles, and the Clippers are staring down a deadline that could have a real impact on their rotation. With Thursday’s cutoff looming, the team has a decision to make-and fast-on the futures of two-way players Jordan Miller and Kobe Sanders.
On paper, it might look like there’s still some wiggle room. Sanders has eight games left under his two-way eligibility, while Miller has 21.
But the reality is more complicated than that. Due to NBA roster rules, the Clippers only have three more games where both players can be active at the same time.
That means tonight’s matchup against the Sixers, Wednesday’s game versus the Cavaliers, and Friday’s road tilt in Sacramento are the only remaining opportunities to deploy both guys together-unless the team makes a move to pause the clock by signing someone to a 10-day contract.
So, while the numbers might suggest there’s time, the situation is far more urgent. If the Clippers want to keep using both Miller and Sanders in the rotation-a rotation that’s leaned on them more than anyone expected-they need to make a decision now. That means converting their two-way deals into standard NBA contracts before the deadline hits.
From Summer Surprises to Season Staples
Let’s be honest: no one saw this coming back in July. Miller and Sanders weren’t supposed to be key contributors.
They were supposed to be developmental pieces-depth options. But here we are in February, and they’ve become two of the most reliable players in Tyronn Lue’s rotation.
Their impact was on full display during the Clippers’ recent blowout win over the Sixers. With James Harden sitting out the front end of a back-to-back, it was Miller and Sanders who stepped up and delivered.
They combined for 32 points and knocked down five of the team’s nine total three-pointers. That’s not just filling in-they were leading the charge.
That performance wasn’t an outlier, either. These two have consistently brought energy, shot-making, and defensive versatility to a roster that’s needed it. And in a season where the Clippers have hovered just below .500, sitting at 23-25, every spark matters.
The Front Office’s Next Move
The Clippers have done well to hold off on rushing a decision. Around the league, we’ve seen two-way players flash early, only to fade once the grind of the season sets in.
But Miller and Sanders have passed every test. They’re not just holding their own-they’re helping LA win games.
Now it’s time for the front office to act accordingly.
If no other moves are made before the deadline, the Clippers will need to open up two full-time roster spots to convert both players. That could mean tough decisions-possibly even trades involving veterans like Kobe Brown or others on the fringe of the rotation. But the alternative is worse: losing two young players who’ve earned their spot and are contributing night in and night out.
Ty Lue’s rotation can’t afford to lose them. And frankly, neither can the Clippers’ season.
Bottom Line
Jordan Miller and Kobe Sanders have gone from summer longshots to essential pieces of the Clippers’ present. The numbers might say there’s still time, but functionally, LA is out of runway. They’ve got three games left to make this right, and the deadline is just days away.
The Clippers have found something special in these two. Now it’s time to lock it in.