What's next for the Los Angeles Clippers?

After a loss in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals to once again miss out on the NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Clippers franchise must look forward to the 2022 season.

The excitement that arrived with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard in 2019 has receded, as the seemingly cursed franchise once again is forced to a crossroads on its best path forward.

Let’s take a look at what’s next for the Clippers.

Improvement probably won't be made through the NBA Draft

When Leonard came to the Clippers, they forfeited their draft capital for the near future. They have the 25th pick in this year’s NBA Draft, and then no other first-round picks until 2027.

With a relatively older roster, the Clippers are not in a position to blow things up to rebuild. The 25th pick could be a surprise impact player, but it is best to assume they won’t be snagging anyone who can be an above-replacement player in their rookie season.

With that in mind, look for the Clippers to double down and do their best to restructure a roster that can take the next step in the immediate future.

Will Kawhi Leonard and Paul George stay in L.A.?

Leonard has a player option and could conceivably go elsewhere, including Dallas, Miami, and New York. But for all the trade possibilities and intrigue that such a flirtation would make, the greatest likelihood is that Leonard will stay in Los Angeles.

He wants to win a championship for the Clippers and was surely impressed how far his teammates advanced in the playoffs without him. It was also a sign of respect to Leonard that the Clippers didn’t seem to even entertain the possibility of rushing him back.

Let’s pencil Leonard in to return healthy and be the top-five player he has been for the last half-decade.

George is the next question mark, but he too should be retained. There has been talk of a trade, but George was an iron man and all-around stat stuffer for the Clippers in the playoffs.

He also seems to get along well with Leonard and the rest of the team. I expect George to remain a Clipper.

Will the Clippers retain any expected free agents?

Veterans DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson will be gone, but they aren’t making or breaking this roster.

Nicolas Batum offered veteran play and versatility, but I would expect him to depart. He is simply making too much money for value he brings, so the Clippers should look to replace him with a cheaper, younger option.

Last of the free agents of note is Reggie Jackson, who played his way into a big salary during the playoffs. Previously branded a poor man’s Russell Westbrook, after he modeled his game after his teammate in Oklahoma City, Jackson played inspired basketball in the postseason.

He will be in a position to demand much more money than he could have a year ago, but the Clippers would be wise to avoid that.

He played excellently, but there should be other aggressive guards on the market. How the Clippers decide to handle Jackson will go a long way to determine flexibility on the rest of the roster.

Can the Clippers get better via trade?

To get better and make the leap to the NBA Finals, the Clippers should look to trade perhaps Luke Kennard for an elite point guard who can shoot threes or an elite big man.

Kyle Lowry is an intriguing option, especially in light of Chris Paul’s recent success and Lowry’s former success with Leonard.

The Clippers are one of the deepest teams in the league at positions two through four and should round out their point guard and center spots. Jackson is listed as a point guard, but he averaged only 3.1 assists per game in 2021, with the most efficient offense in basketball. A more traditional point guard who can also shoot from deep would benefit this roster.

The outlook for 2020

The Clippers were arguably one key injury away from making the NBA Finals, with a great opportunity to win their first title. That should be cause for optimism, and a few tweaks could bring them back better.

The Clippers may be a cursed franchise, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t keep trying with what they have. They didn’t hit the jackpot this year, but they’re still holding a great hand.