Los Angeles Clippers: 3 takeaways from 2019 NBA offseason

3. The Los Angeles Clippers are the new model NBA franchise

Who would have thought just a few years ago that the Los Angeles Clippers would ever be considered one of the top, if not the best, run franchises in the NBA? With owner Steve Ballmer righting the ship after the Donald Sterling fiasco, the franchise has become the envy of the NBA.

From president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, general manager Michael Winger and consultant Jerry West to head coach Doc Rivers, the front office and coaching staff works seamlessly these days. Since Rivers was relieved of his front office responsibilities, he’s been able to focus on perennially being one of the top coaches in the league.

Securing Leonard’s commitment was not a plan born overnight. The work started from the moment Chris Paul was traded to the Houston Rockets and continued when the team traded Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons and subsequently when Tobias Harris, acquired for Griffin, was shipped to the Philadelphia 76ers last season.

The plan was bold, trading Harris, their leading scorer, during a playoff run because the front office didn’t want any impediments to hamper their pursuit of Leonard. Trading four unprotected first-round draft picks as part of the deal for George was unprecedented but showed Ballmer’s commitment to chasing the Clippers first Larry O’Brien trophy.