In Reply to: OT: The Clippers get clipped and crippled. posted by mh on September 03, 2026 at 09:56:06
Maybe not a SMU style death penalty but it certainly hurts. There are no roster restrictions and they can get free agents but first round picks are traditionally lower cost alternatives to rebuild. The Clippers are in full rebuild mode once they trade Leonard as they are reported to be doing. Their best player next year would be Benedict Mathurin or Brandon Ingram assuming no free agent signings. The trade is said to include a 2027 1st round swap which looks like a negative at present. The two future picks are nice as they are losing their own 3030 and 2031 picks but 2030 is a long way away for the Clippers with their present roster. It will be interesting to see how they deal with it.