The 2024-25 season has been interesting for the Los Angeles Clippers. James Harden has been a steady playmaker while making the All-Star Team for the 11th time in his career, Norman Powell has thrived in his secondary role, and Kawhi Leonard is trying to regain his superstar form. However, the Clippers face a strong reality: their championship window is closing.
With a top-heavy roster and aging stars, the Clippers must be aggressive this offseason to solidify their supporting cast. These eight players could be the difference between another playoff letdown and a legitimate shot at the franchise’s first NBA title if this season goes as we expect: a first or second-round exit at best.
1. LaMelo Ball
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: LaMelo Ball
Charlotte Hornets Receive: James Harden, Bogdan Bogdanovic, 2031 First-Round Pick
LaMelo Ball would be a transformative addition to the Clippers. Despite Charlotte’s struggles, Ball has been electric, averaging 25.4 points, 7.2 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game this season as a bonafide All-Star snub.
His ability to push the pace and facilitate for scorers like Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell would be an upgrade over the 35-year-old Harden. Trading for Ball would mean saying goodbye to James Harden, but at this stage, that might be necessary for the Clippers’ long-term success.
Harden’s playmaking has been valuable, but he’s not the long-term answer, and his postseason struggles are well-documented. Ball, on the other hand, would give the Clippers a modern, dynamic point guard who can run the offense for years to come and keep the title window open a little longer.
2. Julius Randle
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Julius Randle (Sign-and-Trade)
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Norman Powell, Derrick Jones Jr.
Julius Randle would provide the Clippers with the kind of frontcourt scoring and toughness they lack. This season, Randle has been solid for Minnesota after the KAT trade, putting up 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game while adapting to a complementary role alongside Anthony Edwards.
The Clippers have long relied on small-ball lineups, but adding Randle would give them a versatile power forward who can create his own shot, punish mismatches, and crash the glass. His ability to stretch the floor (when he’s locked in) would also allow Leonard to operate with more space.
However, acquiring Randle isn’t without risk. He’s an inconsistent shooter most of the time (career 33.2% 3-PT FG), and his decision-making can be questionable in high-pressure moments. But given the Clippers’ need for a legitimate interior presence, he’d be a significant upgrade over their current options.
Trading Norman Powell and Derrick Jones Jr. would sting, but if the Clippers can lock Randle into a reasonable contract, they will be better. There is also the issue of whether the Timberwolves would want to move Randle for more perimeter scoring and added athleticism on the break.
3. Nikola Vucevic
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Nikola Vucevic
Chicago Bulls Receive: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kris Dunn, 2031 First-Round Pick
Adding Nikola Vucevic would give the Clippers a polished offensive center, something they’ve lacked for years. Vucevic has been a consistent double-double machine, averaging 18.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists this season with Chicago.
His ability to space the floor as a big (shooting 39.0% from three) would complement Kawhi, Harden, and Powell’s perimeter-heavy games, providing an outlet for easy pick-and-pop opportunities. The Clippers have struggled with post-scoring outside of Ivica Zubac, and Vucevic would immediately address both weaknesses.
The downside? He’s not a great defender. At 34 years old, Vucevic isn’t going to anchor the paint in a way that protects the rim like an elite shot-blocker. Still, trading Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kris Dunn is a fair price, as neither are core pieces and landing a skilled veteran big like Vucevic could make the Clippers more well-rounded offensively.
4. Collin Sexton
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Collin Sexton
Utah Jazz Receive: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kobe Brown, 2031 First-Round Pick
Collin Sexton would bring instant energy and scoring to the Clippers’ backcourt, something they could use off the bench or even in spot starts. The Jazz guard is having a productive season, averaging 18.1 points and 4.2 assists on 39.7% shooting from three in Utah’s backcourt.
While he’s more of a scorer than a traditional point guard, his aggressive style of play would give L.A. an explosive guard who can create his own shot and attack the rim relentlessly. The fit isn’t perfect—Sexton isn’t an elite passer, and the Clippers already have multiple ball-handlers in Leonard, Powell, and Harden (if he’s still there).
But if L.A. is looking for a younger, high-energy guard who can provide an offensive spark, Sexton is worth the gamble. Trading Bogdanovic and a future first isn’t a massive price for a proven 20-point scorer, and given Utah’s rebuilding direction, this is a move that makes sense for both teams.
5. D’Angelo Russell
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: D’Angelo Russell (Sign-and-Trade)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Bogdan Bogdanovic, 2031 First-Round Pick
D’Angelo Russell might be the polarizing name on this list, but his offensive skill set fits what the Clippers need. This season, Russell is only averaging 12.8 points, 5.2 assists, and shooting 31.8% from three, but he can still return to his best form in the right setting.
He’s a streaky shooter but can get red-hot from deep, which would complement Leonard and Harden perfectly. If the Clippers are looking for an efficient secondary ball-handler who can knock down shots and run the offense when needed, Russell fits the bill.
If the Clippers land him on a reasonable sign-and-trade deal (approximately $15 million per season), his shot-making and offensive versatility could outweigh those concerns. Trading Bogdanovic and a pick might feel like an overpay, but if Russell can be the Clippers’ answer at point guard, it’s worth the risk.
6. Marcus Smart
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Marcus Smart
Washington Wizards Receive: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kris Dunn, 2031 First-Round Pick
Marcus Smart brings playoff experience, defensive tenacity, and leadership—three things the Clippers could use. The former Defensive Player of the Year is averaging 9.4 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, proving he’s still an elite disruptor on defense.
His ability to guard multiple positions would allow the Clippers to throw different defensive looks at opposing teams, and his playoff experience makes him an ideal fit for a squad trying to make one last championship push. His ability to set the tone on both ends of the floor would be valuable, and swapping out Bogdanovic and Dunn for Smart would improve the Clippers’ toughness significantly.
7. Clint Capela
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Clint Capela (Sign-and-Trade)
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Derrick Jones Jr., Kris Dunn, 2031 First-Round Pick
If the Clippers want another defensive anchor at center, Clint Capela is the guy. He’s still an elite rim protector and rebounder, averaging 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game in Atlanta. Even if the Clippers have a starting center in Zubac, Capela can be a prime backup or even compete for a starting spot.
While they’ve often leaned on small-ball lineups, adding a true interior presence could be a game-changer for their defensive identity. In a lineup with Harden (his former teammate and lob catalyst), he wouldn’t need to do much offensively besides set screens and catch lobs. Trading Derrick Jones Jr. and Kris Dunn is a fair exchange for a proven rim protector, and he could improve the team’s 20th-ranked rebounding statistic (43.7 RPG).
8. Bruce Brown
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Bruce Brown (Sign-and-Trade)
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Bogdan Bogdavnoic, Jordan Miller, 2031 First-Round Pick
Bruce Brown was a key piece in Denver’s 2023 championship run, and he could bring that same two-way impact to the Clippers. This season, he’s putting up 7.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, proving he’s still an elite glue guy who can defend multiple positions and provide timely scoring.
Brown’s versatility makes him an excellent fit in any system, and for a Clippers team that needs depth and defensive reliability, he’d be a perfect addition. Now, Brown isn’t a star, but his playoff experience and ability to thrive in a secondary role make him an invaluable piece for a team that needs more high-IQ, two-way players.
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