Blake Griffin understands what it takes to win basketball in Los Angeles and what it doesn’t. Along with All-Star point guard Chris Paul, Griffin was instrumental in the Clippers’ success during the ‘Lob City’ era and was the team’s face for almost a decade.
Together, they electrified the city and led the team to six consecutive playoff appearances—something no other Clippers squad has done in the franchise’s 55-year history.
Griffin is open to the fact that the Clippers are facing an early playoff exit again, and he’s not shy about what’s holding them back. In a recent one-on-one interview, the former No. 1 overall pick pointed to a familiar issue—not a lack of talent but foresight.
“Unfortunately for them, they don’t really have a setup to build for the future,” Griffin said. “Trading away so many (picks)… Look at SGA in Oklahoma City. Look at five first-round draft picks for Paul George. Paul George is now on a different team year after year. Obviously, everybody’s getting a year older; that window’s sort of shrinking.”
Even with the presence of James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Norman Powell, the Clippers have been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs three straight years. The team’s once promising championship window now appears to be fading quickly, as all three stars are over 30. A significant portion of it can be linked to the 2019 blockbuster trade that brought Paul George to Los Angeles from the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Clippers sent a staggering haul — five first-round draft picks, two pick swaps, and future MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — to Oklahoma City.
A Championship Window That’s Closing Fast
The move was made to achieve a win-now outcome by pairing George Leonard and competing for a title right away. But it hasn’t worked out. George did not advance the team to the Western Conference Finals, and by the end of this offseason, he is no longer a Clipper. In the meantime, Gilgeous-Alexander has grown into one of the top players in the league, leading a young Thunder team to the playoffs.
A Familiar Pattern
Griffin’s frustration is not just theoretical. Although he had top-notch talent, he couldn’t quite break through on a Clippers team. While his teams consistently made the playoffs, they never advanced past the second round. Injuries and untimely collapses have been often the problem during that time. According to him, the current problem is more extensive.
The Clippers mortgaged their future in pursuit of a championship, but without a long-term plan, they are left with aging superstars and no foundational youth. The lack of draft capital means that rebuilding through draft or trades is not an option.
“There’s several things,” Griffin added, “but not having a foundation for the future? That’s one of the biggest ones.”
What Comes Next?
The Clippers are relying on big name stars to propel them into a new era with their new Inglewood arena, Intuit Dome, set to open next season. The strategy becomes increasingly risky without fresh young talent and a pipeline for future growth.
Griffin’s message is straightforward: championships are not won solely on talent. Building a lasting contender requires vision, patience, and a future-first mindset. Something the Clippers seem to have sacrificed in pursuit of short-term success.
Now, with the clock ticking on Leonard and Harden’s primes, and no Paul George in sight, Los Angeles may have to learn the hard way what Griffin already knows: you can’t skip steps on the path to greatness.
