In a stunning turn of events, the LA Clippers find themselves navigating uncharted waters after a tumultuous offseason that saw the departure of star forward Paul George. The failed contract negotiations between George and the Clippers have not only reshaped the team’s roster but also forced owner Steve Ballmer to confront the harsh realities of the NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and its impact on the franchise’s future.
A Shift in Strategy
As the Paul George contract talks dragged on through the summer, it became increasingly clear that the All-Star would be leaving Los Angeles. Faced with this reality, the Clippers began to chart a new course for their future, one that prioritizes flexibility and youth in the face of the CBA’s more restrictive second apron rules.
Ballmer, known for his willingness to spend big in pursuit of a championship, found himself grappling with the limitations imposed by the new CBA landscape. In an exclusive interview with ESPN, he explained, “The truth of the matter is our situation was changing just because the guys are getting older anyway. So the way to think about it with Paul or without Paul, it started to morph on us.”
The CBA’s Impact
The Clippers, like many other high-spending teams, face additional penalties beyond just increasing tax bills if they venture into the second apron. These sanctions can cost teams access to key resources, such as the taxpayer midlevel exception, the ability to aggregate salaries in trades, and even potentially freeze first-round picks several years into the future.
For a franchise with three aging stars in George, Kawhi Leonard, and the recently acquired James Harden, Ballmer had to come to terms with the fact that building around or beyond this trio would be nearly impossible under the new CBA rules. “We wanted Paul back,” Ballmer admitted. “We made him a big offer. We really wanted him here. We just wanted to not put ourselves in a position where we can’t consistently be good.”
Addition by Subtraction
While losing a player of George’s caliber is undoubtedly a blow, the Clippers believe that his departure has opened up new opportunities for the team. “The truth is, with Paul not coming back, we were able to upgrade our team,” Ballmer explained. The Clippers were able to sign several defensive-minded players, such as Derrick Jones Jr. and Kris Dunn, who fit into the team’s new identity under defensive coordinator Jeff Van Gundy.
You don’t need that many stars to win. It’s about the amount of people you have around you. You need talent.
– Kawhi Leonard
Leonard, a two-time NBA champion, believes that a championship roster can come in different forms. “If it’s three superstars, you still need those role players or piece players within that team to make you win a championship, even if it’s two or one [star] player,” he told ESPN.
Looking Ahead
As the Clippers navigate this new era, they remain optimistic about their ability to attract top talent to Los Angeles. With Ballmer’s commitment to winning, a state-of-the-art arena, and a brand new practice facility, the franchise believes it has the necessary tools to lure high-end players in their prime.
We still believe this year we can be very competitive. Next year, similar to the playbook we had in 2017, we were two years out … and we feel we have some unbelievable competitive advantages that now have been amplified that are going to help us get high-end talent in their prime.
– Lawrence Frank, Clippers President of Basketball Operations
While the road ahead may be uncertain, the Clippers remain steadfast in their pursuit of a championship. With Leonard and Harden leading the charge, and a roster of talented role players surrounding them, the team is poised to make noise in the Western Conference. As the saying goes, when one door closes, another opens – and for the Clippers, this new chapter may just be the beginning of something special.
