The Clippers just wrapped up one of the roughest months in franchise history, going 2-13 in November. And while this team has had tough stretches before, what makes this skid especially jarring is the context: this was supposed to be a contending roster.
Expectations were high coming into the season, with a mix of veteran leadership, star power, and depth. But instead of finding rhythm, the Clippers have stumbled into dysfunction.
Injuries have played a big part in the unraveling. Head coach Tyronn Lue had a clear vision entering the season - John Collins and Kris Dunn were meant to anchor the second unit, bringing energy and stability off the bench.
But with bodies dropping and rotations thinning, both players have been thrust into starting roles. That wasn’t the plan, and it’s shown on the court.
Then there’s the issue of the offseason additions. On paper, adding Brook Lopez and Chris Paul looked like savvy veteran moves - the kind that championship-caliber teams make to solidify a playoff push.
But the reality has been starkly different. Both have struggled to keep up with the pace and physicality of today’s game, and neither is currently in the rotation.
Meanwhile, Bradley Beal, who was expected to be a key scoring option, suffered a season-ending hip injury. That’s a brutal blow to a team already searching for answers.
Defensively, the drop-off has been dramatic. Last season, the Clippers finished third in defensive rating, with Ivica Zubac anchoring a disciplined, physical unit.
This year? They’ve plummeted to 27th.
The issues are layered - they’re not getting back in transition, they’re giving up open threes, they’re not rebounding effectively, and they’re not forcing turnovers. It’s the kind of defensive collapse that makes it hard to stay competitive, even on nights when the offense shows signs of life.
December didn’t offer a clean slate either. The Clippers opened the month with another loss, this time to the Heat - and it came with a painful twist.
Former Clipper Norman Powell lit them up for 30 points on 12-of-18 shooting, finishing with a +33 in 32 minutes. After the game, Powell admitted he was stunned by his former team’s record, saying, “I would have never guessed that they were going to be 5-16 and where they’re at right now.”
That game also featured one of the more eye-catching coaching decisions of the season. After the Heat opened the second half with a 9-0 run, Lue pulled his entire starting five just 86 seconds into the third quarter.
Four of those players eventually returned, but James Harden - who had five turnovers and was a -39 in just 20 minutes - never saw the floor again. Lue didn’t stick around to explain the decision, leaving the postgame media room before reporters had a chance to ask questions.
Still, as bleak as things look right now, the Clippers aren’t boxed in. While they don’t control all of their future draft picks - including the 2026 first-rounder owed to Oklahoma City - they’ve kept their long-term salary commitments clean. That kind of financial flexibility opens the door for a roster shake-up if the front office decides it’s time to pivot.
And if they do go that route, there are veterans on this roster who could draw real interest around the league. Ivica Zubac, in particular, would be a hot commodity. At 28 years old and under contract for three more seasons at $58.7 million, he offers size, rim protection, and efficient interior scoring at a price that’s more than reasonable in today’s market.
So, while the Clippers’ season has veered far off course, they’re not without options. The question now is whether they can right the ship in time - or if a reset is around the corner. Either way, the next few weeks could define the direction of this franchise for years to come.