How Clippers Might Approach the 2026-27 NBA Trade Deadline

The Los Angeles Clippers were already viewed as one of the weaker teams in the Western Conference after they failed to make the playoffs last season and then traded Kawhi Leonard for Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick in the offseason. Now, their future prospects look bleaker after the league ruled on its investigation into salary cap circumvention regarding the team, Leonard, and owner Steve Ballmer. Along with suspensions for Clippers' executives, the Clippers were docked five future first-round picks, leading many to believe that they have one of the worst future outlooks in the NBA. With a team that is unlikely to make the playoffs and a lack of draft capital moving forward, how do the Clippers get back on track? One thing the Clippers have going for them is player assets. The Athletic published a new article stating that the team's biggest issue this season "will be navigating a trade deadline" as they have veterans to trade. It's not so much an issue as it is a question of value. Derrick Jones Jr, Kris Dunn, Brook Lopez, Bradley Beal, and Max Strus could all be valuable additions to a potential playoff team looking for extra juice. The Clippers are unlikely to get back a first-round pick for any of those players, but they can load up on second-round picks and other assets. Given the contract status of some of those players, first-round picks aren't completely off the table. Strus, Jones Jr, Lopez, and Dunn are all in the last year of their contracts. Those are valuable assets if another team is looking to get off a long-term deal. The team in question might be willing to attach a first-round pick to do so. All of those players have tradeable deals, and Strus is the highest-paid player of the bunch at $16 million. Even Hachimura and Beal have deals that could be worth trading for. Hachimura is making $14 million with a team option, essentially making him an expiring contract, and Beal is making only $6.4 million, but does have a player option. Every player mentioned can provide value to another team in playoff situations, especially if there is no long-term commitment attached. All it takes is one team feeling they are close enough and have a big enough need at the position to give up multiple picks. If those players are playing well enough, the Clippers could easily come away with a haul of picks at the trade deadline.