The NBA trade deadline has a way of drawing clear lines in the sand-between contenders and rebuilders, between teams going all-in and those pulling the plug. This year, two franchises found themselves on opposite ends of that spectrum: the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Clippers. While Memphis’ unraveling has been hard to miss, it’s the Clippers’ sudden shift that could have ripple effects far beyond L.A.-especially in San Antonio.
Here’s why: The Oklahoma City Thunder, already one of the most promising young teams in the league, own the Clippers’ next two first-round picks. And with the Clippers shipping out James Harden and Ivica Zubac ahead of the deadline, those picks just got a whole lot more interesting.
The Clippers Hit the Reset Button
Let’s rewind. The Clippers started the season looking like a team still trying to figure things out.
Despite a roster stacked with veterans, they stumbled out of the gate. But as the calendar flipped, they started to find their rhythm.
A 12-6 run since the new year had them climbing the standings and looking like they might be turning a corner.
And then-boom. The front office hit the brakes.
James Harden was dealt to the Cavaliers. Ivica Zubac was sent to the Pacers.
In return, L.A. brought in Darius Garland, who’s currently nursing a toe injury, and Bennedict Mathurin, a talented scorer whose impact hasn’t always translated to wins. The message was clear: the Clippers aren’t chasing a deep playoff run anymore.
That leaves Kawhi Leonard as the last man standing. And while Kawhi is still capable of elite-level play, even he can’t carry a depleted roster through the Western gauntlet alone. Without Harden’s playmaking and Zubac’s interior presence, the Clippers are staring down a tough stretch-and that’s music to the Thunder’s ears.
OKC’s Long Game Just Got Even Stronger
Oklahoma City has already built one of the most exciting cores in the NBA, and they’ve done it the patient way-through smart drafting, savvy trades, and a stockpile of picks that would make a lottery machine blush. Their recent acquisition of Jared McCain only adds to the depth of a team that’s already loaded with young talent.
Now, with the Clippers sliding, those future first-rounders OKC owns just got a potential upgrade. Lottery picks? That’s not just wishful thinking anymore-it’s a real possibility.
That’s where the San Antonio Spurs come in.
The Spurs’ Window is Opening-But So Is OKC’s
The Spurs are entering a pivotal phase. With their young core maturing and playoff aspirations turning into expectations, they’re positioning themselves as a legitimate threat in the West.
They’ve already shown they can hang with the league’s elite, including wins over reigning champions. But if they want to stay in that conversation long-term, they’ll need to keep pace with what’s brewing in Oklahoma City.
And make no mistake-OKC isn’t standing still. With another high pick likely on the way, they’re poised to add even more firepower to an already dangerous team.
That raises the stakes for San Antonio. Standing pat might not be enough.
While a blockbuster move for a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo may not be in the cards, the Spurs will need to explore ways to strengthen their roster this offseason. Whether it’s through trades, free agency, or continued internal development, they’ll need to be aggressive if they want to keep up with the Thunder’s accelerating trajectory.
The Bigger Picture
The Clippers’ decision to pivot away from contention doesn’t just affect L.A.-it could reshape the Western Conference for years to come. By handing Oklahoma City more potential lottery capital, they’ve given the Thunder another leg up in their already impressive rebuild.
For San Antonio, that means the challenge just got steeper. The Spurs are building something special, but so is OKC-and they’ve got the draft picks, the depth, and the momentum to become the team to beat in the West.
The race is on. And if the Spurs want to be the ones to stop the Thunder before they take over the conference, they’ll need to make their move soon.