The Clippers have moved on from Kawhi Leonard, but the hard part starts now: building something that actually looks like a balanced team.
What’s left on the roster is not empty. It’s just lopsided.
Darius Garland and Brandon Ingram stand out as the only clear-cut starters at the moment, and Cem Yolbulan of NBA on SI projects Max Strus, Rui Hachimura and Brook Lopez to round out the group. On paper, that gives Los Angeles plenty of shot-making. The question is what happens on the other end.
Ty Lue has other ways to shape the lineup. Kris Dunn or Derrick Jones Jr. could be pushed into the starting five if the Clippers want more point-of-attack defense. Bradley Beal is still in the mix, too, though using him as a scoring weapon off the bench might be the cleanest fit.
The backcourt and wing spots are crowded. Dunn, Beal, rookie Keaton Wagler, Kobe Sanders, Gradey Dick and Cam Christie are all in the fight for minutes. That kind of depth can be useful - until it starts squeezing everyone into the same lanes.
The front line is where the real problem lives. Lopez is the only center on the roster who clearly looks like a starter, and Isaiah Jackson is next up while Yanic Konan Niederhauser works back from Lisfranc surgery.
That leaves very little margin for error. One injury, and the rotation starts looking like a scramble.
Los Angeles is also carrying 17 players, which means two have to go before opening night. Yolbulan pointed to Dick, Christie, Baba Miller and Johni Broome as possible cuts.
Dick may not be the easiest name to dismiss just yet. The Clippers just got the former lottery pick in the Leonard deal, and camp would seem like the obvious chance to see what he can do.
So yes, Lue has choices. He just doesn’t have many that fit together cleanly.
The Kawhi Leonard issue is gone. The roster puzzle is still wide open.
In Other News...
Clippers Face Huge Pressure As Their Next Moves Shape Playoff Hopes
The Clippers are spending this stretch juggling more than just roster decisions. After the penalties tied to a cap-circumvention scandal, the organization has been forced to navigate front office changes while trying to keep its basketball plan on track, with Trent Redden handling basketball operations as the team works through its next leadership steps.
On the court, the pressure has only intensified. Los Angeles has already finalized the delayed blockbuster trade to bring back Brandon Ingram, and the goal remains clear: find enough stability to stay in the playoff race despite losing Kawhi Leonard and multiple draft picks. With an interim governor still to be named and more roster moves likely, the Clippers are trying to build for the present while the fallout from the scandal still lingers. [Read more 🡒]
Brook Lopez Just Became The Clippers Biggest Season Swing Factor
Brook Lopez has quickly become one of the most important variables in the Clippers long-term plan, which says plenty about where this roster stands heading toward the 2026-27 season. The idea is simple enough: if Lopez gives them steady center play, Los Angeles should have enough structure to stay in the playoff conversation, even if the top of the West remains crowded.
Tyronn Lue does not have much margin for error behind him, either. The roster does not offer an obvious power forward swap to cover for Lopez if things go sideways, and the center depth could get thin in a hurry. If Lopez falls short of expectations, the Clippers may be left waiting on Yanic Konan Niederhausers recovery from a Lisfranc injury before they have another real option in the middle. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers Suddenly Need One Newcomer To Change Everything
The Clippers have spent the offseason turning over a roster that already looked due for change, adding seven newcomers and layering in draft picks Baba Miller and Keaton Wagler alongside additions like Johni Broome, Max Strus, Rui Hachimura and Gradey Dick. Even before the dust settled, the front office had committed to a broader reset around depth, versatility and younger legs, a sharp pivot for a team that had been built around high-end star power.
What makes the next step so interesting is how much of the franchises direction now hinges on one newcomer settling quickly and providing real value in a hurry. After the Leonard deal reshaped the roster and the clubs future assets, the margin for error has gotten a lot thinner, which puts added pressure on the latest arrivals to stabilize things now rather than later. Among all the fresh faces, one player in particular suddenly carries far more weight than a normal offseason addition. [Read more 🡒]