Coming off a hard-fought first-round series against the defending champion Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Clippers enter the offseason at a crossroads—managing star-level ambitions while trying to maintain long-term financial flexibility.
One of the team’s key offseason decisions centers around Norman Powell. The veteran guard is coming off a career-best campaign in which he averaged 21.8 points on elite shooting splits (48.4% FG, 41.8% 3PT), earning serious consideration for Most Improved Player and flirting with All-Star status before injuries slowed his momentum. Powell, who played in 60 games, was a reliable scoring engine off the bench and often served as a stabilizer during uneven stretches of the season.
Clippers Face Crucial Offseason Balancing Star Ambitions, Cap Strategy, and Norman Powell’s Future
Now, Powell is eligible for a contract extension this summer, but the Clippers are in no rush to lock him into a new deal. He’s already owed $20.48 million for the 2024–25 season, and sources tell HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto that L.A. is keen on preserving cap flexibility for the summer of 2027. As it stands, only Ivica Zubac is under guaranteed contract beyond the 2026–27 season.
That financial philosophy means Powell’s expiring deal could be more valuable as a trade chip than an extension candidate. If the Clippers explore the trade market for a high-priced star, combining Powell’s contract with other veterans like Bogdan Bogdanovic ($16.02M) or Derrick Jones Jr. ($10M) provides a viable path to matching salary while keeping the team under the luxury tax threshold. With those three players alone, L.A. could construct a competitive trade package for an impact player—especially if they include their 2031 first-round pick and pick swaps in 2030 and 2032.
Bogdanovic, acquired at the deadline, played 30 regular season games for the Clippers and shot an impressive 42.7% from beyond the arc. His team option for 2026–27 further enhances his trade appeal, especially to teams seeking short-term financial flexibility.
Should the Clippers choose not to swing for the fences this offseason, the focus will shift to reinforcing the roster’s depth. According to league insiders, L.A. will target a backup point guard and a rim-protecting big man using the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. Whether the MLE goes to one player or is split among multiple signings will depend on the market and the team’s read on internal development.
Drew Eubanks, the current backup center, is unlikely to return. His $4.75 million contract for next season is non-guaranteed and could be used as a salary filler or waived outright. Meanwhile, the team expects veteran forward Nicolas Batum to pick up his $4.9 million player option and return to provide leadership and versatility off the bench.
The status of unrestricted free agents Amir Coffey and Ben Simmons remains unclear. Simmons’ brief Clippers stint did little to answer long-term questions about his role, while Coffey’s future will depend largely on his market value.
Another key storyline: James Harden’s future. The 2025 All-Star and All-NBA Third Team selection is expected to decline his $36.35 million player option, but both sides have expressed a strong desire to continue the partnership. Talks are trending toward a new deal that could keep Harden in L.A. through the 2026–27 season alongside Kawhi Leonard.
Ultimately, the Clippers have positioned themselves with options. Whether they make a run at a top-tier star—names like Jrue Holiday, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo have all been speculated—or focus on shoring up their bench, much of their decision-making could hinge on how they choose to handle Powell’s expiring contract.
If they believe Powell’s elite scoring and veteran presence are critical to a championship push, an extension may follow. But if the front office sees his value peaking now, he could very well be at the center of the team’s next big move.