The 2025-26 season has been nothing short of brutal for the Los Angeles Clippers - and that might be putting it kindly. At 6-20, they’re sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, with a roster that looks more like a tribute to what used to be than a contender for what could be. Aging stars, a lack of speed, and a roster construction that simply isn’t working have left the Clippers searching for answers - and fast.
Thursday night’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder wasn’t just another game. It was a reminder of what’s been lost - literally.
That 2026 unprotected first-round pick, now in OKC’s hands thanks to the blockbuster Paul George trade back in 2019, looms large. And with the way things are going, that pick could turn into a gem for the Thunder - and a painful symbol of what might’ve been for L.A.
So where do the Clippers go from here? That’s the million-dollar question.
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Logic might suggest it’s time to hit the reset button - to blow it up, accept the consequences of past decisions, and start building toward the future, even if that future doesn’t include control of their own draft pick next summer. But according to recent reports, the front office isn’t quite ready to pull the plug.
Core pieces like Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Ivica Zubac are still firmly in place, signaling that the Clippers are going to try - at least for now - to salvage what’s left of this season.
One of the biggest issues? A glaring lack of depth behind Harden and Kawhi.
With Chris Paul and Bradley Beal no longer in the picture, the Clippers have struggled to find any consistent shot creation outside of their stars. That’s where names like Anfernee Simons start to surface.
Simons, who’s on an expiring deal, has been floated as a potential target - someone who could inject some much-needed energy and scoring into a backcourt that’s been running on fumes.
But here’s where things get tricky. If the Clippers are serious about making a push, moving Zubac - their starting center and one of the few bright spots on the roster - might not be the wisest move. Boston has reportedly shown interest in Zubac, and while the Celtics are always on the lookout for frontcourt depth, the Clippers would need to get something meaningful in return if they were to entertain that kind of deal.
Anfernee Simons might not be the answer, especially considering his struggles this season. If the Clippers are looking to make a deal with Boston, perhaps a package centered around veterans like Bogdan Bogdanovic and Brook Lopez makes more sense.
Both bring experience, shooting, and in Lopez’s case, rim protection - all things the Clippers could use right now. But again, that depends on how much Boston values Zubac and whether L.A. is willing to part with a key piece in a season that’s already teetering on the edge.
The bottom line: the Clippers are at a crossroads. They can keep pushing forward and hope that experience and star power somehow turn things around.
Or they can face the harsh reality of where they are and start making decisions with the long-term in mind - even if that means taking some short-term lumps. Either way, the clock is ticking, and the rest of the league is watching.