The Los Angeles Clippers spent the offseason doubling down on their veteran nucleus, adding star power while carefully keeping long-term flexibility intact. But according to Sports Illustrated’s Ethen Hutton, the front office hasn’t gone far enough. His argument: the Clippers should push their chips even further into the middle by acquiring six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan.
Los Angeles is coming off a 50-win season that ended in a grueling seven-game first-round loss to the Denver Nuggets. Determined to stay in the West’s upper tier, the Clippers retooled aggressively. They signed Bradley Beal and Chris Paul to bolster their backcourt, added Brook Lopez to stretch the floor at center, and swapped Norman Powell for John Collins to give the rotation more athleticism. It’s a group designed to contend now, and Hutton believes that’s exactly why DeRozan makes sense.
“The Clippers add a complementary star to their core of Beal, Harden, and Leonard with the help of DeRozan,” Hutton wrote. “The reloaded Clippers remain firmly in playoff contention with added star power to compete against some of the best teams in the league out West. This season is all-in for LA, as Harden and Leonard are near the end of their respective careers and Beal is playing on a one-year deal.”
The Clippers-Kings Trade Rumors Proposal
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Hutton outlined a draft-centered offer to the Sacramento Kings:
Clippers receive: DeMar DeRozan
Kings receive: Cam Christie, 2032 first-round pick (lottery protected)
While additional contracts would be required to make the math work, the framework reflects Sacramento’s need for younger depth and future assets after missing the playoffs last year. “Reload with added depth, while being compensated with draft capital,” is how Hutton framed the Kings’ incentive to deal.
For the Clippers, DeRozan would be tasked with slotting into a third-option role behind Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, giving them another dependable shot creator who has proven remarkably durable in recent years.
What DeRozan Brings
At 35, DeRozan remains a consistent three-level scorer. He averaged 22.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists on 47.7% shooting last season. While his three-point accuracy (32.8%) and defense remain weaknesses, his ability to generate offense in the half court would immediately lift L.A.’s ceiling.
He is also entering the second season of a three-year, $73.9 million contract, which conveniently lines up with the Clippers’ timeline. By 2027, when the league is expected to feature a loaded free-agent class, his deal would be off the books.
Durability is another selling point. Unlike several stars on the Clippers’ roster, DeRozan has appeared in at least 74 games in four consecutive seasons. In a locker room where availability is often the biggest variable, that reliability carries weight.
Why Sacramento Would Consider It
The Kings’ pairing of DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Domantas Sabonis never fully clicked, leading to a 40–42 finish and another postseason miss. After firing head coach Mike Brown, Sacramento appears headed for another pivot. Moving DeRozan could give them both flexibility and depth, whether through Christie’s development or by flipping incoming veterans like Bogdan Bogdanovic or Kris Dunn in subsequent deals.
Sacramento may also view draft compensation as critical, even if protected. As one report noted, “the Kings can reload with added depth, while being compensated with added draft capital down the line.”
Risks for the Clippers
If the Clippers follow Hutton’s blueprint, they’ll be leaning even harder on a veteran-heavy rotation. Leonard, Harden, Beal, Lopez, Paul, and DeRozan are all over 32, making health and workload management a real concern.
DeRozan’s defensive limitations are also difficult to overlook. While he has held his own as an individual defender at times, he’s never been a plus on that end, and fitting him next to Leonard and Harden would put added pressure on role players to cover ground.
Convincing DeRozan to accept fewer touches or even a reduced role off the bench could also be a delicate balance. He’s used to logging heavy minutes, and while fewer responsibilities might preserve him for the postseason, it could cut into his production and rhythm.
Why The Trade Idea Still Holds Weight
Despite the drawbacks, there’s a compelling logic to Hutton’s proposal. The Clippers are operating on a short runway with Leonard and Harden in the twilight of their primes and Beal on a one-year deal. In that context, maximizing immediate firepower could outweigh long-term risks.
DeRozan, a Los Angeles native, would also be returning home—a move that could carry intangible benefits for both him and the franchise. Sentimental reunions have already been part of L.A.’s offseason, with Paul’s return for a farewell run.
The Clippers have positioned themselves to be among the West’s most formidable teams. Adding DeRozan, as Hutton suggests, would be the ultimate bet on now: a bold move that could make their star-studded roster even more dangerous, if it can hold up under the grind of a long season.