Latest news with #Clippers'
Forbes
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
The Los Angeles Clippers Now Have A Chris Paul Problem
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: Chris Paul #3 of the LA Clippers argues his foul call during the first ... More half against the Utah Jazz in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) On Monday, it was announced that Chris Paul would spend his 21st and final season with the same franchise he played for from 2011 to 2017. After nearly a decade-long odyssey, Paul is back with the Los Angeles Clippers in a signing that should punctuate what has been a busy offseason for Los Angeles' other basketball team. Along with adding Paul, the Clippers signed Brook Lopez and Bradley Beal, while also trading for John Collins. Last week, I gave my thoughts on what the Clippers' championship outlook looked like heading into next season. But that was before the Paul news. How much does his presence on the roster enhance Los Angeles' chances at a deep playoff run? To put it plainly, is Paul the icing the Clippers need for their title cake? Chris Paul Addresses The Los Angeles Clippers' Greatest Weakness Outside of their age/injury concerns, the Clippers' greatest weakness is their lack of passing, which can cause their offensive process to become muddled – leading to uneven isolation possessions against stingier defensive teams. James Harden is a stupendous distributor, ranking in the 90th percentile in Passer Rating. But other than him, the Clippers don't have a single person in the 66th percentile or higher in this statistical category. Paul may increase the team's average age (he'll be 41 next May), but even in his fifth decade on Earth, the man who sits at second all-time in total assists can still facilitate the basketball. Last season, Grandpa Paul placed in the 93rd percentile in Passer Rating (he has been in the 90th percentile or higher every season of his career, per Thinking Basketball). Paul gives the Clippers another ball mover to keep possessions from growing stale when Harden is taking a break on the bench. His mastery of the pick-and-roll/pick-and-pop will also pair well with the Clippers' troika of bigs (Ivica Zubac, Brook Lopez, and John Collins). The Issue With Playing Chris Paul In theory, Paul addresses the Clippers' passing quandary. That's a game-changer for them, right? Well, not exactly. At this stage of his career, Paul is neither a major threat to score (19th percentile in points per 75 possessions) nor a credible defender (31st percentile Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus, per Dunks & Threes). This puts the Clippers in quite a bind. If they close with Paul instead of Beal, they are missing out on the latter's scoring punch. If they play CP3 over Kris Dunn, they would be missing out on an All-League caliber defender. It's a similar story with Derrick Jones Jr., Bogdan Bogdanovic, Collins, etc. As we learned from watching the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers march to the NBA Finals, you need as many versatile players on your roster as possible. As currently constructed, the Clippers still have too many "specialists." Kawhi Leonard is a two-way player. Zubac is one. Batum is one. Harden isn't a two-way player, but his offensive value (94th percentile OFF EPM) is enough to make up for his defensive limitations. But what about that fifth spot? Bogdanovic is a good scorer, but you lose passing and defense with him on the floor. Beal is also a good scorer (and solid playmaker), but he has his own defensive shortcomings. Collins is a skilled big with incredible interior finishing abilities, but his defense is even more devastating given the positions he occupies. Jones and Dunn are two of the best perimeter defenders in basketball, but they aren't good enough shooters to always be trusted down the stretch. Lopez can shoot and protect the rim at a high level, but his lack of mobility can cause him to get played off the floor in the playoffs. Besides, he and Zubac can't realistically share the floor for long periods of time. No matter what, the Clippers' closing lineup will always have at least one guy who is leaving something on the table on one side of the floor or the other. Against bad teams, this won't be an issue. Heck, given all their raw talent, this probably won't be a problem against good teams. But what happens against the great teams like the Thunder or the Cleveland Cavaliers? Paul makes the Clippers a deeper team, which raises their floor. But their ceiling is still limited by their lack of reliable two-way players. Paul is a great value add on a minimum contract (3.6 million dollars in 2025-26), but, at the end of the day, he likely doesn't do enough to raise them to inner circle contender status.
New York Post
17-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Bradley Beal's arrival in Los Angeles doesn't shake up Clippers' NBA title chances
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. The Clippers' Bradley Beal signing didn't do much to improve their 2025-26 outlook. After news of the deal broke on Wednesday, the Clippers' NBA title odds at DraftKings Sportsbook didn't budge at all, holding steady at +3000, which is tied with the Mavericks and 76ers for the 10th-best odds on the board. The Clippers' chances to win the West did slightly improve, going from +1800 to +1400, although they remained behind six other teams in the conference at DraftKings. Oddsmakers may have already priced in the Beal signing before it became official this week. Earlier this month, the Clippers opened as a heavy +150 favorite to land Beal after it was revealed that he and the Suns were working on a potential buyout deal. The 32-year-old shooting guard agreed to a two-year, $11 million contract with a player option to head to Los Angeles after two disappointing seasons in Phoenix. Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) dribbles against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Phoenix. AP Beal is giving back $13.9 million of the remaining $110 million on his deal, with the Suns planning to waive-and-stretch the money over five years, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The Suns traded for Beal in June 2023 with hopes that he would create a formidable Big 3 with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. The team fell short of its sky-high expectations, losing in the first round of the playoffs in 2024 and missing the postseason in 2025. Betting on the NBA? In 53 games last season, Beal averaged 17 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. He'll look to form another Big 3 alongside Kawhi Leonard and James Harden on the Clippers as they, like the Suns, look to get over the hump in the Western Conference after early playoff exits in recent years. Why Trust New York Post Betting Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He's particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
Los Angeles Times
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Bronny James generates excitement, but Clippers prevail over Lakers in Summer League
LAS VEGAS — Even with all the sports dignitaries in attendance and even though they were watching a rivalry game of sorts between the Lakers and Clippers, the fans inside the Thomas & Mack Center still were mostly enamored with Bronny James. That is the kind of drawing power James had even with his dad, LeBron James, watching again from his baseline seats. That's the kind of draw James had even with Steve Ballmer, Tyronn Lue, JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka in attendance. Even with Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton and Kawhi Leonard looking on, Bronny James was the center of attention yet again. James had one of his better Summer League games, but it was the Clippers who came out on top in a 67-58 win Monday night at Nevada Las Vegas. James had 17 points, five rebounds and five assists in 24 minutes and 17 seconds. He was six for 10 from the field and three for five from three-point range. And, yes, he was happy to have the support of his family and teammates. 'It definitely gave me a little boost, seeing them cheer for me and my teammates,' James said. 'It's great to get in the gym with them.' The star of the night was Clippers forward Jordan Miller, his 19 points and seven rebounds a big reason why the Clippers are 3-0 in the Summer League. His three-pointer late in the fourth quarter gave the Clippers a lead they never lost. He scored nine of the Clippers' last 11 points. 'We got it done,' said Clippers assistant coach Jeremy Castleberry, who is the team's summer league coach. 'We got it done. We did what we needed to do, the second night of a back-to-back. For a lot of those guys, it was the first back-to-back they played in a long time. So, happy we got it done.' James started strong, shooting a three-pointer to open the scoring. He added a step-back three in the second quarter, those two shots being part of his 12 first-half points on four-for-four shooting. He made a three-pointer in the fourth quarter that tied the score 51-51. 'Yeah, I can see growth, for sure,' James said. 'Honestly, I just feel like my confidence is growing over the last year and a half or so. So, I'm just going to grow on that and keep my mind right.' The Lakers shot 34.4% just from the field, 30% from three-point range and 38.5% from the free-throw line (five for 13). They also turned the ball over 19 times. Lakers assistant coach Lindsey Harding said the team showed signs of 'fatigue,' which she expected considering it was their sixth Summer League game (they played three summer league games at the California Classic in San Francisco). 'It just seemed like we didn't have much pop,' said Harding, the Lakers' Summer League coach. But not James. He seemed energized the entire game. 'Bronny came ready. He came ready. He had the spark,' Harding said. 'You want these guys, especially him in that position and who he'll be with us with the Lakers, when you get your minutes, go hard. Play until exhaustion, we'll take you out and then we'll put you back in. I thought that he did that today. 'He did a great job, even on the offensive end in finding players, making reads on pick-and-rolls. I think they struggled guarding him and he did a great job on the defensive end.' But James wasn't the only one who got the fans excited. Clippers rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser threw down a nasty dunk on Cole Sider in the third quarter, which brought the crowd to its feet. Niederhauser had another strong outing for the Clippers with 10 points, two rebounds and two steals in 23 minutes.
Los Angeles Times
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Despite injury, Kobe Brown showcases his potential for Clippers in Summer League win
LAS VEGAS — This was the moment for Kobe Brown to shine and to show the Clippers that he can be a rotational player for them this season. But misfortune struck when Brown got tangled with a Rockets defender who fell on his right ankle in the third quarter. Brown sat on the Clippers' bench for a few minutes before he limped to their locker room with 5:59 left in the third quarter. Brown didn't return in the Clippers' 95-92 NBA Summer League win over the Houston Rockets at Cox Pavilion on Friday night after sustaining what the team described as a right ankle contusion. Brown is entering his third season with the Clippers and the team is eager for the 2023 30th overall draft pick to make an impact. He'll make $2.65 million this season and will have a qualifying offer for next season at $4.7 million. 'He's just got to continue to do what he did tonight,' said Clippers assistant coach Jerry Castleberry, the team's Summer League coach. 'Play great defense. Make the right reads. We've been talking about it all training camp. Get in the paint, draw two, make the right reads and if they put a small on him, he showed his ability to be able to score against a mismatch tonight and doing it the right way — quickly, getting downhill, not dancing, just getting straight to the point. Brown scored 10 points in the first quarter, going four for five from the field, making both of his three-point attempts. On one of those threes, he ran the length of the court and took a pass for a lob dunk. Brown finished with 14 points, four rebounds and four assists in 20 minutes. 'Ankle is good,' Castleberry said. 'Ankle is fine. Just precautionary. He'll be OK.' The Clippers waived Jordan Miller before summer league started, but they still had a roster spot so he was added to the team. He did not disappoint Friday, producing 23 points and 11 rebounds. Miller has been given an opportunity to show the Clippers — and any other team — how the Summer League is useful for him. 'With this team it takes a lot of humility. Not thinking less of yourself but also thinking less of yourself,' Miller said. 'Just finding a way to maximize whatever role it is. It's not just for me, but it's for all the guys. We got guys that can score. The only way we're going to get on the floor is defending and making open threes. That's just the reality of it. ... But for the most part, just working game reps. Like, you're not going to get a lot of ball-screens. You're not going to get a lot of touches. So you just got to work on your off-ball shooting, movement shooting and being able to not mess up defensively.' It was on defense where Clippers rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser was at his best. Niederhauser blocked four shots and had 10 rebounds. He used his seven-foot frame as a deterrent and displayed why the Clippers drafted him out of Penn State. 'He did everything he was supposed to do,' Castleberry said. 'He was great with rim-protection, changing shots and I just thought he was good.'
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
James Harden declines player option and intends to sign $81.5M Los Angeles Clippers deal
(Image Source - Getty Images) James Harden just turned down $36 million—and somehow came back richer. The Clippers star is finalizing an $81.5 million deal after leading the team with 22.8 points per game and an All-NBA Third Team nod. At 35, Harden's decision isn't just about money—it's about belief. In himself, in Kawhi Leonard, and in the Clippers' shot at redemption after another tough playoff exit. The $14.1 million mid-level exception gives Clippers flexibility after Harden extension James Harden has chosen to pass on his $36.35 million player option right after having his best season since 2020-21. In 79 games, he averaged 22.8 points, 8.7 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game, even with a small drop in his three-point shooting from 38.1% to 35.2%. This impressive performance got him All-NBA Third Team recognition, which is his first since the 2019-20 season. In the playoffs, Harden was a game-changer—averaging 18.7 points, 9.1 assists, and 5.4 rebounds in the Clippers' grueling seven-game series loss to the Denver Nuggets. Despite his talent, including clutch plays like tying Game 1 with a floater, L.A. ultimately didn't make it. This fresh contract isn't just a paycheck; it's a bold statement. Now at 35 and turning 36 in August, Harden has landed an average annual salary of about $40.75 million, a big increase from last year's $35 million. The player-option and partial guarantees in Year 2 are timed perfectly with Kawhi Leonard, keeping the Clippers' two key players aligned through at least 2027. Team president Lawrence Frank stated that re-signing Harden is the franchise's "top priority," mentioning that the team "could always respect that he has a player option" but is "super, super excited" about finalizing the deal. With Harden's choice, the Clippers keep their offensive flow intact and gain the ability to seek more talent through the mid-level exception of $14.1M. Also Read: Jabari Smith Jr. wants to sign a $122 million contract extension with Houston Rockets for five years through 2031 By opting out of his player option and signing back with the Clippers, James Harden has made a strong statement: he has faith in this team and recognizes there's more to accomplish. The two-year contract worth $81.5 million guarantees that Los Angeles retains its key offensive player—at least for the upcoming season—while also keeping a backup plan for the second year. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
