Los Angeles Clippers: Five things you need to know

• Started as the Buffalo Braves before moving to San Diego
• Steve Ballmer brought the team for $2BN in 2014
• Made the Western Conference Finals in 2021

The Los Angeles Clippers are the youngest of two Los Angeles based NBA franchises, joining the NBA in 1970. After an underwhelming few decades in the NBA, the Los Angeles Clippers have become a staple playoff team in the Western Conference. Their iconic “Lob City” era brought the franchise to new heights, elevating its popularity and competitiveness in the playoffs.

2024-25 NBA Season Summary

• Record: 50-32
• Finish: 5th Seed (Lost in the First round)
• All-Star Selections: James Harden

The Los Angeles Clippers had a strong 2024-25 season finishing as the fifth seed in the powerhouse Western Conference. The Denver Nuggets proved too much for the Clippers in the first round, beating them in seven games. The Clippers defence throughout the season was suffocating, recording the fourth-best defence in the NBA, and building a strong foundation to bring into next season. Their attacking outfit was what let them down last year, with lower production years from key facilitators and members of the second unit.

Offseason Moves

Re-signing

• Nicolas Batum returns on two-year deal
• James Harden agrees to two-year extension

Additions

• Bradley Beal agrees to two-year deal
• John Collins joins via trade with Jazz
• Brook Lopez agrees to two-year deal
• Chris Paul agrees to one-year deal
• TyTy Washington agrees to one-year deal

Departures

• Norman Powell departs via trade with Heat
• Drew Eubanks waived

As it stands the Los Angeles Clippers boast the oldest team in league history with the average age standing at 33.2 years. Acquiring Chris Paul (40), Bradley Beal (32), and Brook Lopez (37), has shown the Clippers’ clear intent on fielding a more experienced, veteran lineup than in previous years.

While maintaining a well-rounded roster with depth at key positions, the Clippers traded away 2024-25 standout player Norman Powell. Arguably the team’s best player last season, Powell’s shot-making ability and 21 points per game average will be hard to replicate. The team has opted for Bradley Beal to take the reins, an interesting choice given Beal’s recent decline in offensive production at the Phoenix Suns.

One thing to look forward to will be the rotation of centres Ivica Zubac and Brook Lopez, two dynamic centres who are crucial to the Clippers’ work on both sides of the ball. With one of the strongest lineups on paper, the question remains how smooth the transition will be for the likes of Bradley Beal and John Collins. In Tyronn Lue’s sixth season at the Clips, their veteran core will be an interesting story to follow, given its high-risk, high-reward approach in modern day basketball.

2025-26 Predicted Lineup

1. Point Guard: James Harden
2. Shooting Guard: Bradley Beal
3. Small Forward: Kawhi Leonard
4. Power Forward: John Collins
5. Centre: Ivica Zubac

Australians who have played for the Los Angeles Clippers

Ben Simmons: Victorian point forward and former number one overall pick, Ben Simmons made his way to the Los Angeles franchise midway through the 2024-25 season. In 18 games Simmons averaged 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

Patty Mills: NBA Champion Patty Mills joined the Clippers midway through the 2024-25 season. The sharpshooting guard has played in 12 games in a role off the extended bench.

History of the Los Angeles Clippers

For most of their history, the Clippers were synonymous with futility and mismanagement. After moving from Buffalo to San Diego in 1978 and then to Los Angeles in 1984, the team struggled to find success or relevance playing in the shadow of the Lakers.

The franchise's fortunes began to turn around in the early 2010s with the "Lob City" era led by Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. While that group never made it past the second round of the playoffs, it established the Clippers as a winning franchise.

The 2019 acquisitions of Leonard and George elevated the team to true championship contender status. In 2021, the Clippers finally broke through to reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history. Since 2021, the Clippers have underperformed, with continued first round exits. The experiment was officially deemed a failure when the Clippers traded Paul George to the 76ers.

Identity

The Clippers have transformed their identity from perennial losers to legitimate title contenders in recent years. Under the ownership of former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer since 2014, the franchise has invested heavily in player talent, facilities, and organisational infrastructure.

Their playing style emphasises strong defence, efficient offense, and depth. Head coach Tyronn Lue tends to employ versatile lineups that can play big or small depending on matchups. The franchise is in the process of making history, building the oldest roster in the league's history. Headlined by Chris Paul, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, the franchise has adopted an unorthodox approach heading into the 2025/26 season.

The team culture has moved past the dark days of Donald Sterling's ownership to become one of the most appealing destinations for top players and coaches. There's a palpable excitement around the franchise as they aim to finally break through and win a championship.

Five Fast Facts

1. The Clippers have never won an NBA championship or conference title in their 53-year history.
2. Their 17-65 record in 1986-87 remains one of the worst seasons in NBA history.
3. Between 1977 and 2011, the Clippers made the playoffs only four times in 33 seasons.
4. Chris Paul's arrival in 2011 sparked six straight playoff appearances from 2012-2017.
5. The team moved into the new $1.2 billion Intuit Dome arena in Inglewood in 2024.

Club Timeline

• 1970: Franchise founded as Buffalo Braves
• 1978: Team relocates to San Diego, rebranded as Clippers
• 1984: Clippers move to Los Angeles
• 2011: Chris Paul trade ushers in "Lob City" era
• 2014: Steve Ballmer purchases team for $2 billion
• 2019: Kawhi Leonard and Paul George join Clippers
• 2021: First Western Conference Finals appearance
• 2024: Move into new Intuit Dome arena

Since their “Lob City” era, the Los Angeles Clippers have become a perennial playoff team, reaching their first Western Conference Finals in 2021. Despite failing to bring home the franchise’s first championship, the last decade has advanced the Clippers’ position commercially and competitively. Heading into the 2025-26 season, questions surround the Clippers’ ability to make a deep playoff run and overcome some of the West’s top contenders.