Clippers to TRADE Paul George or Kawhi Leonard and blow up roster? NBA insider explains why team has no choice

The Clippers may have to blow the team up this offseason.

Clippers to TRADE Paul George or Kawhi Leonard and blow up roster? NBA insider explains why team has no choice

Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard (Creator: Harry How | Credit: Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Clippers once again disappointed the fans with an early exit. As their superstar duo of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard didn’t come in handy. As once again they were trapped with injuries. The Clippers managed to build a superteam near the deadline by bringing Russell Westbrook into the system. And, Brodie did live up to the expectations and carried the team to the playoffs.

But the absence of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard had the Phoenix Suns knocking them out in the first round itself. Now, the Los Angeles Clippers are going to have a rough offseason making some tough decisions about the future of the franchise. The fanbase already wants the franchise to blow things up and start rebuilding.

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As they don’t trust the injury-prone duo of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard anymore. They used load management throughout the regular season, to extend their run during the post-season. But unfortunately, that didn’t work out for the Clippers as they lost Paul George to a right knee sprain a week before the post-season. And, the same injury took Kawhi Leonard out after he suited up for a pair of post-season games.

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Now, the Los Angeles Clippers may have to ride with the fans and blow the team up. As the recent report by The Athletic’ John Hollinger suggests the same. The Los Angeles Clippers have already lost their future to Oklahoma City Thunder in the process of acquiring Paul George and spacing out for Free Agent Kawhi Leonard. They are on the losing end of the trade, as they are yet to hang any banners at their arena and over the years have made it to the Western Conference Finals only once.

Also, with the new CBA coming into action they’ll have to surely part ways with one of their superstar to improve the roster. As bringing in Free Agents isn’t easy anymore. And, the Clippers are already $40 million over the projected tax line for the next year. Both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have guaranteed contracts for the next season almost worth $46 million each. And, both the players for the 2024-25 seasons have player options worth around $48 million each.

So it’s fair to say the Clippers will likely try shipping one of their superstars around the league. Going ahead with increased taxes and no success with two injury-prone players also doesn’t make any sense. And, the team isn’t just limited to Paul George and Kawhi Leonard as they also have to pay the rest of the guys and this summer most of their key role players will like to get extended with a bag. So the Clippers extending both their superstars and once again trying to run it won’t make any sense. But again you never know as both are capable but injury prone.

Related: Clippers GM FIRES WARNING to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George after disappointing end to another season

Can the Los Angeles Clippers retain Russell Westbrook?

Russell Westbrook and Paul George (Credits: Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
Russell Westbrook and Paul George (Credits: Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

The players and the coaching staff believe they can run it again with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George if Russell Westbrook re-signs too. But the front office and management somewhere know the road isn’t going to be any easy. Russell Westbrook was brought out from the Utah Jazz and then he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. He basically has saved their season and even played his heart and soul out on the court. And, now he’ll like to get a max deal with a multi-year contract.

But unfortunately, the Los Angeles Clippers are in no such position to give him that well-deserved bag. The most they can retain him for will be a minimum-veteran deal right now.

They also have to keep the core and depth happy of the team and already are bounded to around $100 million for their superstar duo. So retaining Brodie back isn’t going to be easy. Until he believes the Clippers are a contender and agrees to a pay cut. 

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