Making 2026-27 All-Star Cases for Clippers’ Darius Garland and Brandon Ingram

Over the past year, the Los Angeles Clippers have been a team that has been trying to get younger, but they're still looking to compete in a tough Western Conference.

Their roster consists of younger players who will need more playing time, but for players such as Darius Garland and Brandon Ingram, this is an opportunity for them to show they can be focal points on a competitive roster. 

Both players have seen success in the past in their careers, and they have postseason experience, which could help the Clippers this season. Darius Garland was a part of three postseason runs with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Brandon Ingram is coming off a season in which he helped the Toronto Raptors reach the postseason as a fifth seed. 

Ingram and Garland each have a chance to set themselves apart in Los Angeles and make the All-Star team, given their experience and the opportunities that will arise for them. 

Darius Garland saw himself become the floor general for the Clippers to end the season in 2025-2026. There were opportunities for him to run the offense, and he did well with what was given to him. He averaged just under 20 points per game and 6.4 assists in the 19 games he played with the Clippers. 

Garland is a player who can create for himself on offense thanks to his finishing ability around the rim, but he is quietly one of the NBA's most underrated passers. If he can find a connection with Brandon Ingram or any other player on this roster, he could see success next season. 

For Brandon Ingram, the situation he's entering in Los Angeles isn't much different than when he was in Toronto. The Raptors were also relatively young, but it was clear that he and Scottie Barnes would have to lead the way in terms of offensive production.  

The Raptors traded Ingram away to acquire All-NBA second-team member Kawhi Leonard, and the expectation is that the Clippers will use Ingram as a primary scorer this season. With the opportunities that will be given to Ingram, he has a good chance to make the All-Star game. 

Both players are going to be seen as leaders by this locker room and coaching staff next season, and if they can fulfill those roles, they could see individual success but also team success. The Clippers are a candidate to be one of the surprise teams next season, and it could be off the back of Darius Garland and Brandon Ingram.