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The Los Angeles Clippers accepted a harsh punishment from the NBA after they were found guilty of circumventing the cap with Kawhi Leonard. The league’s investigation found enough evidence that the Clippers had indeed channeled money to Leonard through under-the-table means via a now-defunct company called Aspiration, and LA, as a result, will lose their first-round picks from 2029 to 2033.
This puts such a huge wrench in the Clippers’ rebuilding plans; they had intended to hit the reset button following their decision to trade Ivica Zubac for a huge package of first-round picks as well as swapping James Harden for Darius Garland.
They even traded Kawhi Leonard for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, an unprotected first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks — giving them even more assets to rebuild the team from the ground up.
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With the Clippers not being in control of their first-round pick from 2027 to 2033, it’s going to be difficult for them moving forward to get back to contending ways.
There’s also no reason for them to bottom out, so it’s safe to say that they’ll at least intend to remain semi-competitive. This suggests that Garland and Ingram will be looked at as important players for this team, barring huge trade offers that convince the Clippers to trade them away.
LA is in that awkward spot where their roster is filled with veterans who can contribute to a contending cause all while not having the kind of top-shelf superstars to drive the bus. And with their lack of future draft picks, perhaps recouping some assets for a few of their players, especially those on expiring contracts, could be the move.
These are five players who are on hot trade candidate seats for the Clippers heading into the 2026-27 NBA training camp.
Derrick Jones Jr.
The Clippers signed Jones in 2024 as their de facto Paul George replacement, and he continued his play as one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA in a successful season that saw the Clippers win 50 games. Last season, however, wasn’t very kind on Jones. He endured a plethora of injury problems, which limited him to just 50 games played.
Now, Jones is in the final year of his contract, and he suddenly finds himself having to fight for his place in the starting lineup after the Clippers filled the roster with plenty of versatile wings who can suit up at either forward position. LA has Ingram, Rui Hachimura, Max Strus, and Gradey Dick, along with Jones, to fill two frontcourt positions.
More than the Clippers’ need to declutter, Jones is in the final year of his contract. LA cannot afford to hold on to assets and let them leave for nothing.
A contending team in need of more defensive personnel may want to float an offer for Jones. Perhaps the Los Angeles Lakers would do well to inquire of Jones’ availability, as they have a huge need for a versatile forward who doesn’t command the ball and is also top-tier on defense. It helps that Jones also had his breakout season playing alongside Luka Doncic.
It does make sense for LA to at least feel out what they can get for Jones, especially if they don’t intend to sign him to an extension.
Max Strus
Strus must have experienced a major whiplash when he heard that the Cleveland Cavaliers had traded him away to the Clippers in the deal that allowed the Cavs to acquire Peyton Watson. The 30-year-old has been a part of contending teams for the past five years, and in his new team, they might be fortunate if they even get to the 35-win mark next season.
As a 30-year-old with plenty of playoff experience, the Clippers could very well want to hold on to Strus to provide some guidance in these trying times for the franchise. That makes plenty of sense as well, even if Strus decides to leave the team at the end of the 2026-27 season.
However, mentioned earlier, the Clippers have a bit of a logjam at the wing positions. Strus provides a different dimension, giving the Clippers a movement shooter. But he is also in the final year of his contract and could very well command some respect on the trade market from a team that needs shooting and leadership.
Kris Dunn
The Clippers are all-in on Keaton Wagler’s development, and it should help that he doesn’t have the pressure of leading the franchise from day one. He can learn from the likes of Garland, who also needed a bit of time before coming into his own, as well as Kris Dunn, who is one of the most disruptive defenders in the NBA.
But like other players on this list, Dunn is also in the final year of his contract, making $5.7 million. That is a very affordable contract for a player who’s proven himself to be a tough point-of-attack defender.
Even if the Clippers end up trading Dunn, they have enough depth to weather his departure. This should also open up more minutes for the likes of Wagler, Dick, and even Bradley Beal, who will be looking to rehabilitate his value.
Getting multiple second-round picks for Dunn should be an easy task, and that is a price well worth paying for someone who shot 37.4 percent from three on almost three attempts per contest last season.
Brook Lopez
At 38 years of age and with a championship ring, Brook Lopez has nothing left to prove in what has been an incredible career. But Lopez didn’t exactly sign with the Clippers to be part of a rebuild.
With the Clippers having the likes of Yanic Konan Niederhauser as well as Isaiah Jackson, Lopez could quickly become an expendable piece for the team. While his leadership qualities can be valuable, developing the team’s young players, including 2026 second-round pick Baba Miller, might serve the team better in the long run.
Alas, the Clippers cannot exactly recoup plenty of assets for a 38-year-old big man in the final year of his deal. The most likely outcome here is that Lopez secures a buyout eventually and signs for a contending team in need of big man depth. Perhaps a reunion with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis in South Beach could be in the cards for Lopez.
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