Kawhi Leonard
Getty
Kawhi Leonard (left) and James Harden (right)
The Los Angeles Clippers are trying to save their horrendous season by keeping faith in turning the sinking ship around. Many fans and pundits have expected the Clippers to put a couple of their top names on the trade block to escape further disaster. The 6-20 record sees Los Angeles tied for the third worst record in the entire NBA.
However, a report from Dallas Hoops Journal confirmed that the Clippers have already shut down opposing teams hoping for a trade:
“The Los Angeles Clippers are rejecting trade offers for Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Ivica Zubac, NBA sources told DallasHoopsJournal. The Clippers are 6-20. They are in 14th place in the Western Conference standings, but since their 2026 first-round pick goes to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the front office doesn’t want to blow up the roster, sources said.”
Clippers management hopes they have enough talent to get on a winning streak and make the playoffs as one of the later seeds via play-in games. The most important factor is that the Clippers first round draft pick will go to the Oklahoma City Thunder. There is no incentive to lose this season since the team can’t even get a draft pick out of it and risks more embarrassment.
Should Clippers Trade Away Their Superstars
Three players stand out as the most talented and respected names on the Clippers roster. Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Ivica Zubac all hold varying levels of value to give the Clippers a chance to help their future via trades. Any of the three would likely result in draft picks or young talents coming back to the roster.
However, Leonard’s health and Harden’s age both make it hard to get a great package that will guarantee success for either party. The Clippers realize they won’t get anywhere near equal value for those talents and would rather just let this season play out with the hopes of a miracle.
Zubac is the most interesting name as a top ten center, while multiple contending teams on the market need a big man. The improvement of Zubac over the past few years makes him the biggest asset the Clippers can eventually trade to replenish their assets. However, it will take longer than this season’s deadline for the Clippers to seriously consider that.
Clippers Have Strange Reason For Confidence
Another tidbit from the same report claims that Los Angeles believes that Derrick Jones returning from an injury will help him. Jones played his last game a month ago and is not expected to return to the court for at least another two weeks.
The confidence coming from a role player returning to the lineup is not going to provide much more optimism for Clippers fans. Fans had high hopes of a strong season since the Clippers have doubled down on wanting to contend with an aging roster.
The recent losses feel worse due to Harden playing his best basketball in years and Leonard remaining relatively healthy. Clippers management is banking on their talent resurrecting this season and giving them a chance at redemption, despite most thinking it’s time to blow it up.