The Clippers came into the 2025-26 season with expectations sky-high-and rightfully so. They were a 50-win team last year, they kept most of that core intact, and they added some intriguing new pieces.
But 20 games in, they’re sitting at 5-15 and searching for answers as they head out on their second East Coast road trip. For a team built to contend, this kind of start isn’t just disappointing-it’s downright alarming.
While Kawhi Leonard’s availability has once again been inconsistent (no surprise there), the issues run deeper than load management. The roster that once looked like one of the most balanced in the league now feels like it’s missing its identity. And that’s where DeMarcus Cousins, never one to mince words, pointed his finger-squarely at Clippers general manager Lawrence Frank.
“He's the decision maker that continues to change this team around every single year; they get worse and worse… it's just not working,” Cousins said during an appearance on FanDuel’s Run It Back show. And whether you agree with him or not, it’s hard to ignore the results.
Frank actually drew some praise this past offseason, especially for acquiring John Collins to bolster the frontcourt. On paper, that move made sense-Collins brings athleticism, rebounding, and a bit of scoring punch to a front line that had gotten stale.
But the cost of that move is starting to sting. The Clippers sent Norman Powell to Miami in the deal, and Powell has been on a tear with the Heat, playing arguably the best basketball of his career-well into his 30s.
That’s not the kind of tradeoff you want when you’re trying to win now.
Even more troubling? The looming possibility of the Clippers sending an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder. If this season continues to spiral, that pick could land in the lottery-and that’s the kind of long-term setback that can haunt a franchise for years.
Meanwhile, James Harden has quietly been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise murky season. He’s been efficient, engaged, and productive-everything the Clippers hoped for when they brought him in.
But with the team struggling and assets thin, Harden might be their best (and only) trade chip if they decide to pivot toward a retool. It's not an easy decision, but it's one the front office may have to face sooner rather than later.
Next up, the Clippers will face Norman Powell and the Miami Heat in South Beach on Friday night. That matchup could be a painful reminder of what they gave up-and a chance to see whether this team still has enough fight left to turn things around.