The Los Angeles Clippers, who many predicted would drop off a bit following Paul George's departure last offseason, finished the year as the No. 5 seed in the West and suffered just one more loss than they did last year. However, they ultimately got sent home in the first round by the Denver Nuggets in seven games. Following their early playoff exit, the Clippers may have some big decisions to make this offseason.
Among these decisions is what to do with Ben Simmons, who signed with the team during the season after a buyout from the Brooklyn Nets. Simmons, who appeared in 18 regular season games for the Clippers, will hit unrestricted free agency this summer. According to The Athletic's Law Murray, Simmons is not expected to remain in Los Angeles.
"[Simmons] is a free agent. He eventually faded out of the rotation completely for the Clippers. I don't expect him to be back. If he comes back it'd be on a very low number ... You need someone who's a threat on both sides of the ball," Murray said on a recent podcast with Yossi Gozlan.
Following the latest developments on Simmons, the Clippers are now predicted to land a former Boston Celtics guard who could be the former No. 1 overall pick's replacement. While not the same player he was when he won the Rookie of the Year award in 2018, Simmons provides depth and versatility. If he leaves the Clippers, they will have to look for a replacement, and there is one specific player to monitor.
In the same podcast, Murray identified Malcolm Brogdon as a "primary target for the Clippers." He stated, "I would consider Brogdon a primary target for the Clippers. They almost traded (for him previously). I think if Brogdon would have been a buyout guy, I think the Clippers would have considered him along with Ben Simmons."
Brogdon spent one season with the Celtics in 2022-23 and won the Sixth Man of the Year award. The Celtics initially traded him to the Clippers as part of the blockbuster deal that landed them Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards. However, due to medical concerns, the Clippers backed out, and the Celtics ultimately sent Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies to complete the trade.
After the trade fell through, Brogdon spent last season with the Washington Wizards, where he appeared in 24 games. He averaged 12.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, shooting 43% from the field, including 28.6% from behind the arc. Brogdon is now set to be an unrestricted free agent in July, and it's unclear where he fits in for the rebuilding Wizards, who added veterans Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart at last season's trade deadline.
As the Clippers look toward the summer, the uncertainty surrounding Simmons and the potential addition of Brogdon could significantly impact their roster construction. The team will need to carefully evaluate their options as they aim to build a competitive squad for the next season. With the playoffs now behind them, the Clippers find themselves at a crossroads, needing to make strategic decisions that could define their future.
In conclusion, the Clippers are facing a pivotal offseason. With Ben Simmons likely moving on and Malcolm Brogdon emerging as a prime target, the decisions made in the coming months will be crucial for the franchise's ambitions moving forward. As the NBA landscape continues to shift, all eyes will be on Los Angeles as they navigate these changes.
