As the Clippers stumble to a 6–16 start, executives and scouts around the league are debating what the franchise’s next move should be. Because L.A. owes the defending champion Thunder an unprotected 2026 first-round pick, many teams are watching closely.
One executive joked, “We might need to get everyone in the league on a Zoom and brainstorm some ideas. Invite everybody except (Thunder general manager) Sam (Presti).”
Bontemps and Windhorst report that opinions vary widely. Some evaluators think the Clippers should act during the season, though they disagree on whether the team should buy or sell.
Others believe the best option is to stay put, insisting the roster – led by Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Ivica Zubac – is more capable than its record suggests.
As one veteran executive said, “There are going to be several teams ahead of them in the standings that are eventually going to tank and (the Clippers) will be able to pass them … You’ll be coming to me asking about the tanking epidemic in the spring.”
A Western Conference scout echoed the sentiment, arguing patience may be the smartest approach.
“It’s got to be better than this,” he told Bontemps. “Ty Lue is a great coach. With Zubac, Harden and Kawhi, you’re just too talented to be this bad all season … Yes, it’s been terrible, but what can you do?”
Clippers Notes: Next Steps, Leonard, Harden, LaVine https://t.co/DzPgmXqwuA pic.twitter.com/axT2wbG3hH
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) December 5, 2025
