Los Angeles Clippers 2025-26 Season Preview
Team Background & Context
- The Clippers finished the 2024-25 season with a 50-32 record (5th in the Western Conference) and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. (NBA)
- Offseason moves: They re-signed James Harden, and added veteran pieces including Bradley Beal, Chris Paul, John Collins and Brook Lopez. (NBA)
- The aim is clear: upgrade their back-court and spacing, improve offense, while keeping their defensive strength. (Yahoo Sports)
Key Strengths
- Veteran star power & depth
- Improved offense & shooting
- Roster flexibility & ambition
- They did not mortgage the future; many of their moves are one- or two-year commitments. This gives them flexibility while “going for it”. (Yahoo Sports)
Key Weaknesses / Risks
- Injury risk & aging core: Leonard has missed significant time due to knee issues; other key players (Harden, Paul, Lopez) are in their mid to late 30s. Age and durability are real concerns. (Last Night, In Basketball)
- How will fit & chemistry work? With many new pieces, blending roles and minutes could be a challenge. Can the veterans stay engaged all season long?
- West is stacked: Even if the Clippers improve, the Western Conference remains loaded. They’ll need to be near-flawless to make a deep run.
- Offensive continuity: Despite improvements, they need to replace the scoring punch of the departed Norman Powell (~21.8 ppg) and his 3-point threat (179 threes at 41.8% in 2024-25). (NBA)
Key Players to Watch
- Kawhi Leonard: When healthy, still one of the elite two-way players in the league. His performance sets the tone. (Wikipedia)
- James Harden: The orchestrator. His ability to distribute, score and elevate teammates is vital. (NBA)
- Bradley Beal: A new weapon. His scoring and off-ball movement will help relieve pressure on Harden and Leonard. (The Times of India)
- Chris Paul: Veteran facilitator with leadership. Even if his scoring has declined, his experience and chemistry matter.
- Front-court shooters (Collins, Lopez): Their ability to stretch the floor helps open things up for the wings and guards.
Outlook & Projections
- Win projection: If healthy and chemistry gels, the Clippers are in the 50-55 win range; some previews suggest they could be a top-3 seed in the West. (Yahoo Sports)
- Best-case scenario: If Leonard is healthy for most of the season and the offense truly improves, they could advance past the first round and contend for a conference finals berth.
- Worst-case scenario: Injuries to Leonard or key veterans, sub-par offensive cohesion — they risk falling short of expectations and seeing another early exit.
- Key question: Will the upgraded back-court and floor spacing push them from being good (regular playoff team) to being true title contenders? (Yahoo Sports)
Final Thoughts
The Clippers have done everything they can to put themselves in a “now or never” window: elite veterans, improved shooting, maintained a strong defense. The big caveat remains health and fit: if Leonard plays 65+ games, and the veterans stay fresh, this could be a deep run. But the margin for error is thin — age, injuries, and chemistry are all lurking risks.
In short: the stage is set for a high-stakes season. The Clippers aren’t just in the playoff mix — they’re aiming higher. Whether they can deliver remains to be seen.