There is just no way around it; the L.A. Clippers are a mess of epic proportions. They are currently just 6-19, don't own their pick this year or next year, and their best player, Kawhi Leonard, only plays part-time.
That is not to mention that both he and the Clippers are being investigated by the NBA over salary cap circumvention. The other shoe will drop at some point, but the Clippers are in a bad spot right now.
Ironically, it seems that they at least made one right call, opting not to re-sign Paul George. Remember, the Clippers are in this mess because Leonard pushed them to trade for George, with the results being disastrous.
Fortunately, they at least knew when to cut their losses. They let him leave for nothing in free agency, and he signed a 4-year, $212 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. That move has looked awful thus far, with him averaging just 15.9 points per game since joining the Sixers while making more than $50 million per season.
Had the Clippers held onto George, as Leonard had wanted, they'd be stuck with another ugly contract. That would have been especially devastating in light of recent events.
The Clippers are vindicated for refusing Kawhi Leonard's wish
The NBA's looming investigation could possibly result in the league taking all of the Clippers' remaining first-round picks, leaving them without a first until 2031. The only way for them to get out of that mess is to clear out cap space and rebuild through free agency beginning in 2027.
Had they held onto George, that likely wouldn't even be an option. Even so, the initial George trade, which was pushed for by Leonard, set the Clippers back at least a decade, and they won't live that trade down for years to come.
Clippers fans have Leonard to thank for that, and with the franchise spiraling and him in and out of the lineup, he likely hasn't earned himself any new fans. L.A. will likely give up a high lottery pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have a chance to win at least 70 games this season.
Usually, it's the small-market teams getting taken advantage of by big-market teams. However, the Clippers are the clear exception, with them having been bamboozled by both Leonard and the Thunder.
Fortunately, at least L.A. didn't chase a disastrous decision with another by re-signing George, giving them at least a glimmer of hope to eventually build a better roster.