Why the Clippers’ Path Back to Contention Might Start with a Breakout Star in Waiting
The LA Clippers have made their name chasing stars. Kawhi Leonard.
Paul George. Russell Westbrook.
But as the franchise stares down another season of high expectations and uneven results, it might be time for a different kind of move-one that doesn’t make headlines today but could define the next decade. And that starts with Lawrence Frank and the Clippers’ front office leaning into a strategy that’s quietly reshaping rosters across the league: identifying young, underutilized talent before it breaks out.
This isn’t a flashy blockbuster deal. It’s not the kind of move that dominates the news cycle.
But it’s the kind of calculated, forward-thinking approach that teams like the Trail Blazers and Jazz have used to great effect. And it could be exactly what the Clippers need.
The Model: Spotting Stars Before the Breakout
Let’s look at the blueprint. Portland saw something in Deni Avdija that the Wizards hadn’t fully unlocked.
They made their move, and now Avdija is averaging 25.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists on efficient shooting. That’s not just a nice pickup-that’s a franchise-altering swing that’s paying off.
Utah did it too. Lauri Markkanen went from a role player in Cleveland to an All-Star in Salt Lake City. The Jazz gave him the keys, and he responded with production that put him in the top tier of offensive options in the league.
What do both of these players have in common? They were stuck on teams going nowhere fast.
Washington and Cleveland weren’t playoff threats when they let Avdija and Markkanen go. But once those players landed in systems that believed in them-and gave them the opportunity to grow-the results were undeniable.
That’s the sweet spot the Clippers need to find: talented players still on their first NBA teams, possibly overlooked or underutilized, who are ready to explode with the right fit and the right opportunity.
The Clippers’ Need for a New Kind of Star
Let’s be real: the Clippers aren’t just looking for depth. They need a jolt-someone who can shift their trajectory not just for this season, but for the seasons to come.
The current core, as talented as it is, has struggled to stay healthy and consistent. The championship window that once seemed wide open now feels like it’s narrowing by the month.
That’s where this strategy comes in. The goal isn’t to find a player who can just fill minutes-it’s to find the guy who can become the next star. Not a rookie project, not a veteran on the decline, but a player who’s been in the league long enough to show flashes, yet hasn’t been in the right situation to fully thrive.
The Clippers’ scouting department has a vital role to play here. They need to be out there, watching games across both conferences, zeroing in on players who show signs of something more.
Players who might be stuck behind a crowded rotation or buried on a rebuilding team with no clear direction. The kind of players who just need the right system-and the right belief-to level up.
The Roadmap Is Already Written
This isn’t uncharted territory. The template is there.
Teams have done it, and done it well. The key is knowing where to look and having the conviction to make a move before the rest of the league catches on.
Josh Giddey and Michael Porter Jr. are other names floating in the conversation-players whose current situations may not be ideal, but who still carry significant upside. But the real lesson from Avdija and Markkanen is that the opportunity matters just as much as the talent.
The Clippers have the infrastructure. They have the leadership.
What they need now is a player who can grow with them-someone who might not be a star yet, but has the tools to become one. That’s the kind of move that could turn a good team into a great one, and keep the Clippers relevant long after the current core has moved on.
A Calculated Gamble Worth Taking
This isn’t about chasing the next big name on the trade market. It’s about finding the next big name before they become one.
That’s what Portland did. That’s what Utah did.
And that’s what the Clippers need to do now.
If LA can identify that player-someone overlooked, undervalued, and on the verge of a breakout-they won’t just be making a smart trade. They’ll be making a statement: that they’re not just playing for today, but building for tomorrow.
And in a league that moves fast and forgets even faster, that kind of foresight might be the most valuable asset of all.