Coach Tyronn Lue and the Los Angeles Clippers could struggle to make a significant run during the 2026-27 season.
The organization has fallen from playoff contention to a team likely dropping near the bottom of the Western Conference as a result of its offseason.
The NBA announced disciplinary action against the team on Sept. 2 after an external law firm completed enough of its investigation and shared its findings with league commissioner Adam Silver.
The Clippers were fined $30 million and were told to forfeit five first-round draft picks (2029–2033). Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and two of the team’s executives were also suspended.
The Clippers also used the offseason to create a younger roster. The team traded Kawhi Leonard, who is 35 years
old, and moved on from Nicolas Batum (37) in free agency while adding players such as Brandon Ingram (29) and Gradey Dick (22). The Clippers were one of the oldest teams in the league, with an average age of 33.2 years last season.
The team will have signs of inexperience, but it could create an opportunity for players such as first-round pick Keaton Wagler to get significant playing time early and often.
Here's a breakdown of the Los Angeles Clippers' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:
Los Angeles Clippers offseason review
- Record last season: 42-40 (9th in Western Conference)
- Playoff finish: Did not qualify
- Coach: Tyronn Lue (seventh season)
- 2026-27 title odds: +75000 (per BetMGM)
- Projected record : 31-51
- Offseason grade : C+
Key roster additions
- G Keaton Wagler (draft pick)
- F Baba Miller (draft pick)
- F Rui Hachimura (free agency)
- G Max Strus (traded)
- F Nick Martinelli (traded)
- F Johni Broome (traded)
Key roster losses
- F Kawhi Leonard (traded)
- F Nicolas Batum (free agency)
- G Bogdan Bogdanović (free agency)
- F/C John Collins (free agency)
Biggest question entering training camp
Who will step up as the Clippers' top player?
- The Clippers traded Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, officially ending a chapter in the organization's history. The Clippers will start the season without a bona fide star player and MVP contender on its roster. Newly acquired Brandon Ingram will have an opportunity to fill the role, but he will have to show he can be durable, which was something that worked against Leonard at times as well. Leonard did play 65 or more games in two of the last three seasons, but was limited to just 37 games played during the 2024-25 season. Ingram did take a step forward, playing in 77 games for the Raptors last season, just two games shy of his career-high during his rookie season. The forward was limited to just 18 games played with the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2024-25 season.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
- G Darius Garland
- G Keaton Wagler
- F Brandon Ingram
- F Rui Hachimura
- C Brook Lopez
Rotation players
- C Yanic Konan Niederhauser
- C Isaiah Jackson
- G Kris Dunn
- G Max Strus
- G Bradley Beal
- G Gradey Dick
- G Kobe Sanders
- F Derrick Jones Jr.
- F Jordan Miller
- F Baba Miller
What to expect in 2026-27 season
Expectations won’t be high for the Clippers for the upcoming season. The Clippers already took a step back with a 42-40 record last season after making the playoffs in 2025. The Clippers are likely to take another step back. The team is projected to win just 31 games this season.
The team had championship expectations after acquiring Leonard and Paul George in 2019. Both players are now back in the Eastern Conference, while Los Angeles will battle for a chance at the play-in tournament.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Los Angeles Clippers season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction
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