Clippers Kick Off Season With Healthy Kawhi and New Additions

The Los Angeles Clippers are ready to launch their season on October 25, 2023, against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City, armed with a healthy Kawhi Leonard and a revamped roster. This off-season, the Clippers adopted a win-now mentality, acquiring former All-Stars James Harden and Bradley Beal to bolster their backcourt, along with veteran presence in the frontcourt, including Brook Lopez and John Collins.

With hopes of advancing beyond the first round of the playoffs for the first time since their trip to the Western Conference finals in 2021, the Clippers face challenges related to team chemistry and age. They are set to start the season with an average age of 33.2 years, potentially making them the oldest team in the league. In contrast, the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, had an average age of just 24.7 years last season.

Coach Tyronn Lue acknowledged the need for time to harmonize the team’s dynamics. “It’s going to take us 15 to 20 games into the season to really understand our rotations, our chemistry, how we want to play, who fits,” Lue stated following the Clippers’ first preseason game.

Kawhi Leonard’s health is another pivotal factor for the Clippers. The six-time All-Star and two-time NBA Finals MVP struggled with injuries in recent seasons, playing only 37 games last year due to knee issues. Despite this, he showcased his talent during the playoffs, averaging 25.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in a seven-game series against the Denver Nuggets.

Off the court, the franchise is under investigation by an independent law firm regarding allegations of violating league rules by providing additional compensation to Leonard through a business linked to team owner Steve Ballmer. Both Ballmer and Leonard have denied any wrongdoing.

As the Clippers prepare for the new season, expectations are high for James Harden, who averaged 22.8 points, 8.7 assists, and 5.8 rebounds last season. Harden’s ability to drive the team’s offense alongside Leonard will be crucial. He is one of only four players to average over 22 points and eight rebounds per game while maintaining a three-point shooting percentage of 35% or better.

The revamped lineup also includes three-time All-Star Bradley Beal, who joins the starting five after a challenging stint with the Phoenix Suns. Lue expressed confidence in Beal’s ability to regain his form. “Players of this caliber are very rare, and they’re hard to come by,” Lue remarked after the signing. “You can put him in so many different spots and he’ll find ways to score. He’s a great playmaker who is going to make everybody else better.”

While the team has let go of key players like Norman Powell and Amir Coffey, they still possess depth with versatile forwards Derrick Jones Jr. and Nicolas Batum, alongside guards Kris Dunn and Bogdan Bogdanovic. Lue emphasized the importance of having multiple veterans who can contribute off the bench, stating, “It feels good to have a lot of different options, combinations. Every night could be different, every night is going to be different. But we have time. We just got to keep getting better.”

As the Clippers embark on their journey this season, the focus will be on how well they can integrate their new pieces while maintaining the health of their star players. The outcome of their efforts will not only determine their playoff prospects but also set the tone for what could be a pivotal year in the franchise’s history.