The Los Angeles Clippers have a busy summer coming up because key stars such as Paul George and James Harden have uncertain futures. Superstar Kawhi Leonard has signed an extension to remain in Los Angeles, but he seems to be the only key player whose future is certain.
- Paul George – Reject Player Option
- Ivica Zubac – Via Trade
- PJ Tucker – Reject Player Option
- Terance Mann – Via Trade
- Russell Westbrook – Reject Player Option
- Amir Coffey – Via Trade
- Bones Hyland – Via Trade
- Free Agents
- James Harden
- Mason Plumlee
- Daniel Theis
- Joshua Primo
- Brandon Boston Jr.
- Moussa Diabate
- Xavier Moon
There might be seven players who will leave the Clippers this summer, and major names such as George and Harden headline. While it won’t be a foregone conclusion they leave, they join a list of players who could be on the way out.
Paul George – Reject Player Option
Contract Status: $48,787,676 Player Option In 2024-25
2023-24 Season Statistics: 22.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Paul George has a player option that he might not accept by most accounts. George is still an All-Star player and he could demand another long-term, max deal which would be the last in his career. Whether the Clippers will shell out the cash or not remains to be seen, but George is still a max player and he will get paid this summer.
If the Clippers end up losing George, there could be a long rebuild coming because he is the second option on the team and a perfect sidekick to Kawhi Leonard on both ends of the court. What happens with George could shape the Clippers’ future this summer.
Ivica Zubac – Via Trade
Contract Status: $11,743,210 In 2025-25
2023-24 Season Statistics: 11.5 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.2 SPG, 1.2 BPG
The starting center for Los Angeles over the past few seasons, Ivica Zubac is a trusted role player for the Clippers but he isn’t indispensable by any means. If a legitimate All-Star center becomes available, Zubac could be used as trade bait because he is still 27 years old with a few years left at a high level.
Unless the Clippers find a better starting center such as Nikola Vucevic among others, they will welcome Zubac back. As one of the most valuable trade assets, however, Zubac could be dangled in trade packages for the right player.
PJ Tucker – Reject Player Option
Contract Status: $11,539,000 Player Option In 2024-25
2023-24 Season Statistics: 1.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.5 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.4 BPG
PJ Tucker will almost certainly leave the Clippers this summer. He is past his prime, doesn’t contribute on the stat sheet, and has been unhappy with the minutes he has received. He could end up playing a larger role than expected in the playoffs, but even then, the Clippers won’t sign him to a long-term deal on his current salary.
Tucker could demand higher pay over a two or three-year deal by a title contender because he can still defend multiple positions and provides championship experience. The Clippers need players like Tucker but they don’t want to overpay for them.
Terance Mann – Via Trade
Contract Status: $11,423,077 In 2024-25
2023-24 Season Statistics: 8.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.2 BPG
The Clippers have stood by Terance Mann over the past few seasons, but they might be overrating him. He plays hard, can make outside shots, and defends, but he shouldn’t be untouchable. This summer could see Mann leave the Clippers as he gets involved in trade rumors because if the team doesn’t win a championship, there will be changes.
Mann is 27 years old and while he is still young, he isn’t exactly a youngster bursting with potential. The guard has played an important role for the Clippers but his time could be up if another season goes by without a Finals appearance at least.
Russell Westbrook – Reject Player Option
Contract Status: $4,027,525 Player Option In 2024-25
2023-24 Season Statistics: 11.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.4 BPG
What will happen with Russell Westbrook? The triple-double maestro is currently dealing with an injury but he has played an important role as the sixth man off the bench. Westbrook is a reliable playmaker but he might look to sign a long-term deal rather than accepting a one-year player option.
The Clippers will wait and see what happens this postseason before making a decision on Westbrook because there are still doubts about the player’s fit with James Harden as they both handle the ball a ton. No doubt, this is an important period coming for Westbrook with regards to his career because title-contenders such as the Miami Heat could be interested.
Amir Coffey – Via Trade
Contract Status: $3,938,271 In 2024-25
2023-24 Season Statistics: 6.2 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Amir Coffey is a role player and that means the Clippers won’t have any issues including him in trade deals that will improve the roster. Coffey plays hard and has a nice mix of size and athleticism, but isn’t untouchable. The Clippers will probably shed his salary for the right player because they have the second-highest payroll in the league this season and that has to change for the sake of flexibility.
Bones Hyland – Via Trade
Contract Status: $4,158,439 In 2024-25
2023-24 Season Statistics: 6.5 PPG, 1.1 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Bones Hyland has not found a role with the Clippers despite being happy to be traded by the Denver Nuggets last year. The guard can get very hot in a matter of minutes, but he has been buried in the depth chart behind better all-around players. With only 28 games and 14.7 minutes per game of action, Hyland’s time in Los Angeles could be up soon.
Free Agents
James Harden
2023-24 Season Statistics: 17.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 8.3 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG
James Harden was brought in this season to be the missing piece to the championship puzzle, and he has been superb so far. He is averaging 17.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game as the primary playmaker and point guard for the team. The question remains, however: is he still a max player?
In terms of basketball IQ and offensive ability, Harden might believe he can still get it done at an All-Star level. The Clippers need to see if they can get The Beard on a slightly team-friendly deal, and if so, they will welcome him back. If the Clippers win the championship this season, it will be hard to imagine Harden isn’t brought back on a max deal.
Mason Plumlee
2023-24 Season Statistics: 5.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Mason Plumlee could be brought back to backup Ivica Zubac or whoever the starting center is after this summer. Plumlee is very experienced, brings size and rebounding, and knows his role. However, there is always a chance a free agent will leave his team if another comes along with better pay or a longer-term deal. That is the case with this backup center who has had a decent season with the Clippers.
Daniel Theis
2023-24 Season Statistics: 6.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Daniel Theis is another backup big man who can be trusted to play defense and contribute in the minutes he is given. He isn’t a life changer on the stat sheet but he doesn’t necessarily have to be. He brings size, toughness, and decent shooting as a big man, so expect the Clippers to try to bring him back on a team-friendly deal.
Joshua Primo
2023-24 Season Statistics: 1.0 PPG, 0.5 RPG, 0.0 APG, 0.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Joshua Primo’s off-court issues are well documented, but the Clippers took a chance on the youngster because he has potential. Primo hasn’t found a way to play games, yet, because he has only appeared in two games. The Clippers might be trying to nurture him and if so, they could re-sign him to a long-term deal. If they give up on him, Primo will simply walk this summer.
Brandon Boston Jr.
2023-24 Season Statistics: 3.8 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 0.3 APG, 0.1 SPG, 0.2 BPG
As a role player who doesn’t play major minutes, BJ Boston is not a priority for the Clippers. The team wants to keep some form of continuity so retaining some of their bench players could be important, but Boston has only appeared in 22 games with an average of 7.5 minutes per game which shows his long-term value.
Moussa Diabate
2023-24 Season Statistics: 2.6 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 0.4 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Moussa Diabate, a backup center who plays benchwarmer minutes, will likely leave the Clippers this summer if the team doesn’t want to keep him. The big man needs to find whatever deal is on the table because he is only 22 years old and wants a chance to develop his game across the board.
Xavier Moon
2023-24 Season Statistics: 1.0 PPG, 0.5 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.0 SPG, 0.0 BPG
Moon has only appeared in four games this season and hasn’t played a role with the Clippers by all accounts. He will likely leave, as most role players do, and look to sign the best contract available by any team this summer. At 29 years old, he isn’t exactly brimming with potential either.
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