The Clippers have spent a lot of money on their all-star group. Next season may be the last time the money is made.
Both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George could become free agents after the 2023-24 season, and now coach Tyronn Lue will likely join them on the free agent market.
The Clippers had a great summer of 2019, signing Leonard as a free agent and acquiring George in exchange for five first-round picks, two pick trades, and Shay Gilgos Alexander, who was first-team All-NBA last season. But the super team did not live up to expectations.
The Clippers blew a 3-1 lead over the Denver Nuggets in the 2020 bubble playoffs. That was the last time they had an intact George and Leonard available in the postseason. They replaced head coach Doc Rivers with an offseason and reached the Western Conference Finals in 2021, after Leonard tore his ACL. The Clippers lost play in 2022 and lost to Phoenix in the first round after both George and Leonard were injured last year.
Lue’s non-extension could mean the Clippers are ready to transfer one or both of their stars, ahead of their move to the Intuit Dome in 2024. If they can’t count on their expensive stars to even play in the postseason, much less thrive, then they might. They want to deal with George and Leonard now.
But the Clippers are somewhat stuck. They don’t control their draft pick until 2027, so they can’t tank for draft placement. The team also wants to be competitive to enter a new arena as they compete directly with the Lakers. And their stars’ injury history could limit their commercial value.
The most likely outcome? The Clippers are going through it for one last season and hope the success makes the team want to stick together. It’s odd to have a “last dance” for a team that didn’t do much in their first four dances, but contracts and injuries have led the Clippers here.
All we know is that when the music stops in 2024, things could get ugly at the Intuit Dome.