The Los Angeles Clippers’ future has become far more complicated after the NBA punished them over the Kawhi Leonard salary-cap scandal.
Following a lengthy investigation, Steve Ballmer’s team were found to have circumvented the salary cap when signing Leonard to a contract extension in 2021.
The Clippers forfeited five first-round picks between 2029 and 2033, making it almost impossible to build a contending team.
With that in mind, here are three major decisions the front office must make to navigate the next era of the franchise.
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1. Decide what to do with Kawhi Leonard
Even though Kawhi Leonard has not been suspended, his trade to the Toronto Raptors has still not gone through.
The Clippers agreed to trade the superstar for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and a pick swap.
While some have suggested that the Raptors could ask to change the deal, we do not know what is holding the trade back from going through.
What we do know is that the sooner the Clippers can resolve the situation by moving on from Leonard, the better for everyone involved.
Although it would confirm that the Clippers no longer have aspirations of winning a title in the foreseeable future, trading Leonard is undoubtedly the correct decision.
Besides the cloud looming over the franchise because of his contract scandal, the Clippers need to start rebuilding as soon as possible.
2. Trade Darius Garland
Kawhi Leonard is not the only Los Angeles Clippers star who should be on the trade block following the NBA’s brutal punishment.
They should strongly consider trading Darius Garland, even though he only recently joined from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The 20-point-per-game scorer will hold significant value around the league and could return two or more first-round picks in a trade.
Of course, the Clippers would be losing a talented player, but they would regain some much-needed draft capital.
They must forget about winning a championship anytime soon and focus on becoming a relevant Western Conference playoff team again within three to five years.
Assembling a promising young core to develop together seems like a more sensible option than having a mishmash of players on different timelines.
3. Build around Keaton Wagler
The good news for Clippers fans is that they already have a blue-chip prospect on the roster, whom they drafted just a few months ago.
Former Illinois shooting guard Keaton Wagler has arrived in Los Angeles with enormous potential to become a future All-Star.
Having averaged almost 18 points per game in college last season, Wagler should immediately be handed the keys to the Clippers’ offense.
Not to exaggerate, but it already feels as though the promise of the Clippers’ future depends on the 19-year-old.
Given their lack of draft picks for years to come, they need to hit on every top selection they have the opportunity to use.
However, NBA fans know that no matter how bad a situation is, one future superstar can completely turn a franchise’s fortunes around.
That is too much pressure to place on Wagler at this early stage, but there is a slim chance Wagler can become the Clippers’ savior after Kawhi Leonard let them down.
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