The LA Clippers didn’t just tweak their roster at the trade deadline - they flipped the script. With three moves reshaping both the backcourt and frontcourt rotations, this is a very different team than the one we saw tip off earlier in the season.
And now, with the play-in race heating up and the Portland Trail Blazers just half a game behind, Tyronn Lue has a delicate balancing act ahead of him. The margin for error?
Practically nonexistent.
Let’s break down the new-look Clippers and what this revamped depth chart means for their playoff push.
Projected Clippers Depth Chart
(* = injured)
Point Guard: Darius Garland*, Kris Dunn, TyTy Washington Jr.
Shooting Guard: Bennedict Mathurin, Kobe Sanders, Cam Christie, Bogdan Bogdanovic
Small Forward: Kawhi Leonard, Derrick Jones Jr., Jordan Miller
Power Forward: John Collins, Nicolas Batum
Center: Brook Lopez, Isaiah Jackson, Yanic Konan Niederhauser
Injured Reserve: Bradley Beal
A Changing of the Guard - Literally
The biggest headline here is the backcourt overhaul. With James Harden out and Darius Garland in, the Clippers are betting on a younger, quicker lead guard to carry the offensive load - once he’s healthy.
Garland’s ability to create off the dribble and stretch defenses with his shooting gives LA a different look than Harden’s more methodical, iso-heavy approach. It’s a gamble, but one with real upside if Garland can return to form.
Behind him, Kris Dunn brings a defensive-minded presence and veteran poise, while TyTy Washington Jr. offers a developmental option with upside. It’s a trio that blends experience, youth, and versatility - and Lue will need all three at different points down the stretch.
Then there’s the shooting guard spot, where the Clippers may have quietly made one of the most impactful moves of the deadline. Bennedict Mathurin is the kind of rising star that can change a game’s momentum in a heartbeat.
He’s aggressive, athletic, and unafraid of the moment - exactly the kind of energy LA needs as it looks to climb out of the play-in zone. He’ll likely lead the rotation at the two, with rookie Kobe Sanders and sharpshooter Cam Christie backing him up.
Bogdan Bogdanovic adds a veteran scoring punch, giving Lue options depending on matchups.
Kawhi Still the Anchor, But Help Has Arrived
Kawhi Leonard remains the cornerstone of the Clippers’ wing rotation, and that won’t change. But now he’s flanked by Derrick Jones Jr., who brings elite athleticism and defensive versatility, and Jordan Miller, who’s earned his way onto the roster after a strong showing. Miller’s development could be one of the more intriguing subplots as the season winds down - he’s got the size and skill set to carve out a real role.
At power forward, John Collins steps in as a high-energy, lob-catching threat who can also stretch the floor when needed. Nicolas Batum, ever the steady veteran, provides spacing, defense, and a calming presence off the bench. It’s not a flashy duo, but it’s a functional one - and in a playoff race, that matters.
Big Man Rotation Gets a Shakeup
Perhaps the most underrated shift is at center. With Ivica Zubac now in Indiana, Brook Lopez slides into the starting five.
That’s a significant change. Lopez brings championship experience, rim protection, and a three-point shot that can open up the floor in ways Zubac never could.
He’s not the interior bruiser Zubac was, but what he offers in terms of spacing and shot-blocking could be a better fit for this version of the Clippers.
Isaiah Jackson becomes the primary backup for now - a young, athletic big who’s shown flashes of promise. And keep an eye on Yanic Konan Niederhauser.
The Swiss prospect is raw, but the Clippers clearly see something in him. If he continues to develop, don’t be surprised if he earns more minutes as the season progresses.
What It All Means
This is a different Clippers team - not just in terms of names, but in identity. They’ve gotten younger, more athletic, and arguably more versatile.
The moves weren’t just about clearing roster space or making cap-friendly deals. These were calculated swings at upside, with a focus on building a roster that can compete now and evolve later.
There’s no sugarcoating it: the Clippers are in a fight. Sitting just above the play-in line with teams breathing down their neck, they don’t have the luxury of a long adjustment period. Tyronn Lue has to find the right rotations fast, especially with key players like Garland and Beal working their way back from injury.
But if the pieces come together - and that’s a big “if” - this group has the talent to not only escape the play-in but make some noise in the postseason. The front office clearly believes in this core, and now it’s up to the players to prove them right.
The Clippers may not look the same, but they’re hoping the results will be better than ever.