The scramble for Western Conference playoff spots got a little smaller today as the Clippers were officially eliminated with a 19-point loss to the Nuggets. It marks the end of a six-year playoff run for the franchise and may signal the start of a rebuilding project in L.A.
There’s an argument to be made that the process is already under way. It may have begun when Chris Paul demanded a trade to Houston last June, then was accelerated when Blake Griffin was shipped to Detroit. Paul and Griffin were the foundation for the greatest years the formerly downtrodden Clippers have ever experienced, and it feels like the team has already entered a new era.
The most consequential decision facing the Clippers this summer is out of their hands. DeAndre Jordan can opt out of a $24.12MM salary for next season and become an unrestricted free agent. Jordan, who has been with the franchise throughout his 10-year career, remains the cornerstone of the defense and one of the league’s best rebounders. Taking his salary off the books would open a ton of cap room, but there’s not an obvious replacement on the roster.
Also facing opt-out decisions are Austin Rivers ($12.65MM), Milos Teodosic ($6.3MM) and Wesley Johnson ($6.13MM). Rivers seems likely to stay as long as his father is the head coach, but that’s another area where change could be coming.
Doc Rivers has one year left on his contract, and a mutual parting could be in the works. Rivers lost influence in the organization when he was squeezed out of a front office job last offseason and may prefer to go someplace where he’ll have a say about personnel matters. Rivers once said he didn’t want to stay in Boston for a rebuilding project, and he probably has the same attitude toward Los Angeles.
Barring trades, the only sure things for the Clippers’ roster next season are Danilo Gallinari, Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker, Jawun Evans and Sindarius Thornwell. Patrick Beverley, who missed almost the entire season with a knee injury, has a nonguaranteed $5MM salary.
The news isn’t all bad for the Clippers, who will have their own lottery pick, along with the Pistons’ if it falls outside the top four. Detroit is 12th in our latest Reverse Standings and would need a lot of luck to hold onto the pick.
What would you do if you were running the Clippers? Would you re-sign Jordan if he opts out and try to start a new playoff streak, or is it time to start selling off the veterans and start over? Jump into the comments section below and give us your thoughts.
Jordan is a one dimension player. Let him go. Not worth the $. Rivers and son need to go too.
Who says he’s opting out?
I think the Clippers are better set up for a rebuild on the fly as opposed to a complete teardown. Right now they are 4 games away from the #4 seed in the west. They are not a bad team. Keeping Jordan and getting one or two upgrades here or there and getting better in the draft, where they have been horrible for years, would go long way to getting back into the playoff next year. That would be far superior than telling fans to wait five years and we might be better then.
As a clippers fan…please get rid of rivers and Jordan
I think A Rivers gets dealt if not in the offseason then first few months of 2018-19 season. Bet West gets a 2nd for him lol.
Clippers went to Jerry West in an advisory role, and he’s built winners everywhere he’s been. I trust the moves Jerry makes will turn the Clippers around in no time.
Move gallinari and marjanovic to Portland for harkless, Leonard, layman, and swanigan.
If jorden opts out, let him leave. If he opts in, trade him. He should have interest from Cleveland and Milwaukee. That way, they’re rebuilding, yet still competitive.
Keep Jordan and draft Trent Jr and Knox. With Beverley back next season they could make some serious noise.
I might be the minority but i think Clips will be back in the mix come next season. This squad was the void of a superstar that could give 20-22ppg on nightly basis. The foundation is there with Tobias,Montrezl, Ty Wallace, Thornwell, Dekker, Evans as well as vets with Lou Will, Bev, Boban and Milos. The two most important things are the coach they get who can install a system and the draft. Personally I see them making their selection with the Pistions pick then using their own pick to pawn off a bad contract or two as well as obtaining a 2nd round pick. West came to the Clips for a reason. I’m convinced they’ll land a big name this summer.
Hang in there Clips for another year at least! Go for it & see how the lottery rooks work out.
I’ve checked the ol’ crystal ball. A move back to Buffalo is in the works. Emmette Bryant comes outta retirement, and headband usage expands for the first time in years.
8 guys on potential expiring contracts if they all opt in. If they wanted to rebuild they could do it in a year. Trade players for picks in this and next years draft. Harris is the most attractive piece imo. Someone will take Jordan most likely in the East, but you’re not getting a lottery pick for him.
It was time to rebuild like 5 years ago.