Clippers Might Be One Bad Season Away From a Total Reset

The Los Angeles Clippers missed the 2026 NBA Playoffs for the first time since the 2021-2022 NBA season. Even though the end of the season was disappointing, the Clippers showed promise after starting the season 6-21. 

The team was held back in large part due to Kawhi Leonard's nagging injuries keeping him sidelined for the early parts of the season. Bradley Beal, another pivotal player on the Clippers, had a season ending hip injury which he suffered in November. 

The franchise also decided to part ways with Ivica Zubac and James Harden, signaling a change in direction after having championship aspirations for so long. While the Clippers lost two key pieces, they managed to work with what they had as they went on a late-season surge into the Play-In Tournament. 

Kawhi Leonard looked like his usual self once again and was able to lead the team to a 42-40 record. Los Angeles looked rejuvenated, and acquiring younger players in the middle of the season may have been the reason for that. The Clippers started the season with an average age of 33, making them the oldest team in NBA history. 

After midseason moves, the average age dropped to around 28 years old. Though the Clippers had a solid end to their season, there are still some questions about the future of the franchise. 

Kawhi Leonard will be owed $50 million in 20262-2027 and it will be the last year of his contract. He is 34 years old and has not shown signs of truly slowing down. Because of that, rumors have been circulating regarding a potential trade since his value is still high. 

There is no doubt Kawhi is the Clippers' best player. He earned All-NBA Second Team honors and ended the season averaging 27.9 points per game, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. 

The issue is not centered around Kawhi, instead a worry about how many veterans are on this Clippers team and how much they can actually contribute. Bradley Beal was a new acquisition to the Clippers in 2025 and only played 6 games for the franchise before his injury. 

He averaged 8.2 points per game and 1.7 assists. Beal has a player option for next season, and if he chooses to come back, the Clippers may use him as an asset to trade. 

Kris Dunn is also a veteran on the team who could be on the move if the team underperforms again. Dunn is owed $5 million in 2026-2027, and it will be the last year of his deal. Dunn is known to be a great defender and could continue to provide a lot for the Clippers, but he could also be a valuable asset. 

The Clippers' 2026-2027 season could go in many different ways, and if a massive collapse happens, their team will likely look much different moving forward.