Jul 30, 2026 12:48 AM

The Clippers have a lot of options in the frontcourt.

The Los Angeles Clippers made a small, yet impactful play in their most recent play when they traded for big man Johni Brrome and a future second-round pick from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for cash considerations, and now the Clippers' roster is all but completed. 

With so much work down to transform the roster, the Clippers have a wealth of options in players to work with and rotate through on the court and while their backcourt rotation seems more obvious with Darius Garland and Keaton Wagler the assumed starting guards with Kris Dunn, Benedict Mathurin should the Clippers re-sign him and Jordan Miller behind them., as well as Grady Dick should the Clippers' trade of Kawhi Leonard go through, the front court is a different story.

Small Forward

Looking at the roster of available players, a lot is still resting on the Leonard trade to the Toronto Raptors. If and when the trade goes through, Leonard will be in Toronto while Dick and Brandon Ingram will be Clippers. Working in the assumption that the deal does go through in time for next season, then Ingram would be a natural assumption to place as the starting small forward. 

Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) reacts after making a three point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Dan Hamilton-Imagn ImagesToronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) reacts after making a three point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

However, the Clippers do have options in wings. Mathurin stands out as a viable swing man that can slot in as either a two or a three as does Kobe Sanders, who naturally plays as a shooting guard but has the size at 6'8 to switch in as a small forward. 

Going with Ingram's experience is the safest option for the Clippers while the young guys continue to get more reps off the bench to find their footing within the team, but having so much youth as an option behind a veteran is never a bad thing.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) moves in for the dunk against Golden State Warriors guard De'anthony Melton (8) during the second half at Intuit Dome. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesLos Angeles Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) moves in for the dunk against Golden State Warriors guard De'anthony Melton (8) during the second half at Intuit Dome. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Power Forward

Power forward is more of contested position on the Clippers' roster. The two best candidates are Derrick Jons Jr., who was held back with multiple knee injuries last season but was still a go-to starting forward for the Clippers, and Rui Hachimura, one of the Clippers' bigger free agent acquisitions who stands out as one of the best three point shooting bigs in the league. 

These two will undoubtedly be the first two options at the four, it's just a matter of who starts and when. Should the Clippers want a more traditional big who is going to drive and operate mostly in the midrange, they would turn to Jones Jr., but if they trend more toward a desire for three point spacing and a size threat, then Hachumura would be the choice.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (5) controls the ball during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at Intuit Dome. William Liang-Imagn ImagesLos Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (5) controls the ball during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at Intuit Dome. William Liang-Imagn Images

Given that they have Ingram as a small forward and two good shooters in Garland and Wagler as guards, the Clippers don't have as much need for Hachimura to star and he'd be better served as a three point shooting option off the bench, which leads them to Jones Jr. as a size threat in the starting five, so long as health is on his side. 

Behind those two, the Clippers have options in Baba Miller, Sanders and Broome late in the rotation. Broome has limited experience at the NBA level, but the Clippers traded for him for a reason and using his size in the third or fourth spot in the power forward rotation would be a forward move.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) during the first quarter of game three of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. MJayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesLos Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) during the first quarter of game three of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. MJayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Miller, who impressed in Summer League, would be better served as a late-game option either as a forward or center, though he shouldn't be expected to get get meaningful minutes at either next season.

Center

Center is where things get more obvious for the Clippers. Brook Lopez is in the final season of his contract after the Clippers picked up his team option and they're going to use him as their starter. 

Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) plays for the rebound against Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) during the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesLos Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) plays for the rebound against Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) during the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

After him, the Clippers have Isaiah Jackson, Miller and Broome again to all split minutes behind Lopez, while Yanic Konan Niederhauser, who has the most upside out of any young big man on the Clippers roster, may ride the end of the bench at the start of the season if his health remains a concern after suffering a season-ending injury last season when he tore a ligament in his foot.

Niederhauser will likely get the green light and far more minutes later in the season when the Clippers are more confident in his health, but for at least the start of the season he shouldn't be expected to be active on the floor often.


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