Time for the Rebuild!

Kawhi Leonard gave the middle finger to the organization, his so-called "teammates" and all Clipper fans.

Clippers need a total organizational change and must bring in Bob Myers and Kenny Atkinson to replace Lawrence Frank and Tyronn Lue.

I advocated trading Paul George to New York, who sends a boatload of draft picks to Portland, who trades Damian Lillard to the Clippers.

I now hope the Clippers can trade Kawhi Leonard to Portland for Shaeden Sharp, Portland's #5 pick (Ausar Thompson or Jarace Walker), and Portland's #23 pick from New York (Noah Clowney).

Not only does this bring three young players to the Clippers, but Portland can literally swallow Kawhi Leonard's whole contract. This is important because it would get the Clippers out of the second apron, meaning that they can offer a $7,021,000 MLE to Russell Westbrook and keep him on the team.

The 213 era is over.

Clippers trade Paul George and Marcus Morris, Sr. to New York for RJ Barrett, Isiah Hartenstein, Evan Fournier, and three future first-rounders.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the organization This team should have won a championship. We were one of the top ranked then came injuries.The plan was "win now" Healthy with Westbrook, what team is better than we are? None. It's our fragile superstars. When KL and PG13 play together their win/loss is through the strtosphere and ad the leader Westbrook

A ring

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/clippers-star-russell-westbrook-sends-clear-message-to-refs-after-loss-to-suns/ar-AA1acGX2?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=9ff265341b494ad5c9b6c5f4ed6fe9ea&ei=15

Why does LAL get the publicity? It's not the organization.My problem with KL is when he refused to play for Popavich and was "injured" the rest of the year. A problem with his character. Steven Smith talked about it..

Flies will fart before we get Lillard. KL is damaged goods. Nobody wants a player with his injury record. We are not going to trade PC 13 for anybody

Here's what's going to happen, nothing. Ballmer has a new arena to pay for and "young players ' will tank his cash flow. He needs a good team that draws fans but also gets good advertizing on T V. "Young players" will tank broadcast revenue.Damian Lillard does not have the star power that KL.PG and Wes do. I'm talking about media star power. If this were the beginning of the season, Westbrook would be selling sneakers soon. Lillard sneakers?

Business wise it makes little sense to change. What if PG 13 and KL are healthy next year?

Clippers trade Norman Powell and Robert Covington to Indiana for Pacers #26 and #29 (Derek Lively and Adem Bona). Indiana is far enough under the salary cap to absorb both players for draft choices.

In this situation, I'm not trading for Damian Lillard. I'm advocating trading Kawhi Leonard to Portland. This allows them to keep Damian Lillard in Portland and pair him with another "superstar."

I’d get rid of Lue, Morris, Kawhi, Pg as priority #1. I don’t want to ever hire anyone from Docs coaching tree again.

Shaeden Sharp would be our replacement for losing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

This is with Portland's #5 pick:

I just hope the FO is as sick of this s#it as we are. I don't want to hear the "We just have to stay healthy," excuse.

Exactly! If they don’t get rid of Ty and redo the team with better trades and that means PG traded or Kawhi….I’m done with this team I will not follow them or call myself a clipper fan. If they want to loose us fans that have been there for years supporting them…then so be it who cares if they get a new arena it would be meaningless cuz it will only attract the people wanting to experience the new arena and not care for the team or wear their gear.

Ballmer as he likes reinvent things and have new innovations he clearly needs to think of his hardcore fan base and build from what we want to see and want. So he has a lot to do to have hope for us and continue to support this organization. At least for me I won’t be back if they continue to keep the same shitty million dollar players and pathetic coach.

Guys. when the moneey talks the B S walks. This is about business.We are going to do absolutely nothing. Ballmer makes money with K L PG 13. How are your"young players" going to sell tickets? Who is going to watch Young Players on TV. Damian Lillard will not draw the viewers that KL/P13/Westbrook will especially with good marketing. Westbrook is the best thing for Ballmer's bottom line.WOuld you drop a few thousand on a season ticket and spend a lot of time attending games to see Young Players? No. Would I renew ny ST's for 3-4 years of young players? Maybe not. . Lillard is the kool aide.

To say this ad nauseum when this team is together they are electrafying. Young players are the Charlote Hornets..

Portland's #23 pick from New York (Noah Clowney)

Clippers trade Norman Powell and Robert Covington to Indiana for Pacers #26 and #29 (Derek Lively and Adem Bona).

I’d get rid of Lue, Morris, Kawhi, Pg as priority #1. I don’t want to ever hire anyone from Docs coaching tree again.

Amen!!

32 years a clipper fan and counting, sorry i won't abandoned the clippers now or even when the made the cover of sport Illustrated with the unknown fans with bags on their heads and the title read” Worst Sporting Franchise in history “…. those who have been here through thick and thin ( mostly f***** thin, lol) will understand. I Just one time-for the clippers go to the finals and watch the NBA / TV sponsors **** their financial pants !!! i truly believe since our so called superstars were hurt they adjusted the officiating. Yes its time to move on from our has been superstars (PG/KL) and give the lead Role to Russ and our young core !! As for Ty Lue his time here is done !! Balmer its time to act like a grown up and my appropriate decisions for the team instead of going to the game and acting goofy !!

clipperharry 32 years You are one ancient mother f*cker

I can't blame the FO we have a very deep team, they did everything to surround our two superstars, the real problem is the availability of the Leonard and PG, the team wasted a lot of load management for nothing at regular season. Invest on youth and specially on team's athletic department.

I don't want to keep Paul George, as he is a symptom of the problem, but I don't like acquiring RJ Barrett, whom I don't think is better than the young talent we would acquire, and Isaiah Hartentein, whom I don't like as much as Mason Plumlee. Our team:

Pf: Nicolas Batum, Noah Clowney, Amir Coffey

Sf: Paul George, Terance Mann, Ausmar Thompson

C: Ivica Zubac, Mason Plumlee, Derek Lively.

Sg: Eric Gordon, Shaeden Sharpe, Brandon Boston, Jr.

Pg: Russell Westbrook, Bones Hyland, Jason Preston

This is the most disappointing season I experienced as a Clippers fan. Fan since 92-93 during the Manning, Harper and Jackson days, I have been through some really tough years, but the only difference is expectations were low during those days and expectations during the Kachin/PG era were high, higher than the Lob City era. It’s tough trying to back up and support Kawhi because his injury history or lack of trying to play when he’s needed most makes me look like a fool to Clipper haters. Kawhi/PG era with championship expectations were:

2020: Disappointing. Losing a 3-1 lead to Denver

2021: Great. Made a stride by making the western conference finals.

2022: Disappointing. Lost in the play in tournament.

2023: Disappointing. Down 1-3 in the first round, facing a MAJOR uphill battle.

I’ll be honest, I liked the Westbrook signing. As Clippers fans, or fans of the NBA, I appreciate what he has given during this run. This team would have lost by 15-20 points if we still had Reggie or Wall.

Not trying to play when the organization, team, coaches and fans need you the most is difficult to sallow. I really feel he tore something in his knee, i got those game 4 vibes when he I tore his ACL in 2021.

Rant done.

Donald Sterling opened his pocket to get a championship team. Again. Baron Davis, Elton Brand and Corey. Done deal but Brand flaked. LAC prior to that were the most profitable team in the NBA and he gave that up to win now.

Ballmer .doesn't care about money? Do you mean he is willing to tank a team that is profitable for a team that makes a large sucking sound like having s*x with a vacuum cleaner? (it has been done but I have no personal experience) If the new stadium fails he will take a bath. Although I don't know who pays for it.. How about losing revenue. He paid 2 billion fir this team in order to win a ring, not to "rebuild" He wants to win NOW period People like him do not like to lose and a rebuild is losing. Yes my logic is a bit inconsistent. I'm 3/4 through a bottle of Champaigne to toast the last home game. We love you guys! (not you Rick the team but a toast to you anyway)

I will make you a bet

I will eat a plate of boiled okra if we break this team up and you will eat a plate of boiled okra if we keep it together. For those of you who don't know, eating boiled okra is like eating snot.

I will eat okra if we trade K L. you eat okra if we don't Do you like raw oysters? (barf) If not we can throw that in. How about brains?

Where is his money and how much is liquid? There is money then there is money (then there is redundent speech)

Donald Sterling did pay for that Elton Brand-Baron Davis-Corey Maggette team and Elton Brand cackled away and flaked out. He did pay for Blake Griffin and Chris Paul. Until then, he was a notoriously cheap owner and no free agents wanted to sign with the Clippers. David Stern couldn't do anything because the Clippers were one of the few teams to make a profit because Sterling held to the bottom line.

Steve Ballmer is worth $90 billion, which makes him the eighth richest man in the world. Using the 2021-22 year as an example: Clipper payroll ($191 million) luxury tax ($142 million) = $332 million. Clipper TV revenue is $362 million. Clipper operating income is $12 million. Steve Ballmer is paying $142 million to help his team win the ring.

Enjoy eating your bowl of boiled snot. As I said before, Clippers will not have the MLE to offer Russell Westbrook, and he's not going to sign for the minimum. In order to re-sign Russell Westbrook, Clippers would have to break up the team. If he signs elsewhere, the Clippers are already starting the break-up.

That's why I advocated trading Kawhi Leonard. First, it gets rid of the load management disaster, next; we get out from under the second apron and can offer the $7,021,000 MLE to Russell Westbrook who may give us a hometown discount to remain with the team; and last of all, we will be bringing in young players like Shaeden Sharpe, Ausar Thompson, and Noah Clowney to our team and building the future.

Steve Ballmer's money was made through Microsoft stock. I'm sure if he needs it, he calls his stockbroker, sells a few shares and that's it. Can't get more liquid than that. Quite different from Donald Sterling's whose money was tied into his real estate holdings.

He paid 2 billion fir this team in order to win a ring, not to "rebuild" He wants to win NOW period People like him do not like to lose and a rebuild is losing.

This is why he pole vaults over the luxury tax limit and acts like he doesn't care. Only now, the Clippers lose their ability for their MLE and can do nothing to re-sign Russell Westbrook who is the heart and soul of the team. Hardcore Clipper fans are used to the different itineration of the Clippers coming and going, but we always find something to follow. Trading Chris Paul and Blake Griffin were shocking, but my all-time favorite Clipper team was the Lou Wiliams-Montrezl Harrell team that took Golden State to the full seven games in their first-round playoff series.

If we had both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, I think we take the series from Phoenix. Devin Booker is the difference for Phoenix right now, and I think Paul George would be the difference for the Clippers. Paul George always had difficulties being guarded by Mikal Bridges who is no longer with the team, and Phoenix has no one who can guard him.

This may not be a "rebuild," but a "re-tool." Steve Ballmer had the stones to sign off on Chris Paul and Blake Griffin trades. He'll have the stones to do so with Kawhi Leonard.

I’m with you on this. I’m not as old of an old head as you. Been a clip fan since easily 2000s and you’re so right.

I have always liked the hard nosed guys who put in 100% for the fans. Westbrook can retire here in my opinion.

I do not get you guys on trading Kawhi or PG. No one will take them. We are stuck until their contracts are done.

Portland is in a binary situation. Either trade Damian Lillard or reward his loyalty by bringing in a fellow "superstar." Portland can go for the full rebuild and trade Damian Lillard, but they won't get full-scale for him. Few players like Kahwi Leonard will sign with small-market Portland. Portland could acquire him for Shaeden Sharpe (which would be like trading Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) and first-round draft choices who have never played for the team.

Portland's starting line-up would be Jerami Grant, Kawhi Leonard, Jusef Nurkic, Anfernee Simons, Damian Lillard.

New York has already expressed interest in Paul George.

LA Clippers receive G/F RJ Barrett, PF Obi Toppin and C Isaiah Hartenstein

New York Knicks receive F Paul George

https://heavy.com/sports/new-york-knicks/paul-george-blockbuster-br/

Los Angeles Clippers Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, G/F R.J. Barrett, 2024 First-Round PIck (NYK), 2026 First-Round Pick (NYK)

New York Knicks Receive: G/F Paul George

https://nbaanalysis.net/2023/02/20/nba-trade-rumors-new-york-knicks-los-angeles-clippers-paul-george-bold-scenario/2/

Trading Kawhi will be trading pennies on the dollar, like Brooklyn did with Kyrie. They might get a player or two, and one pick, but that's about it. No GM is going to give up equal value for a guy that has no knees left. Same with PG. There just isn't a whole the Clippers can do other than add here and there, and keeping Westbrook. Other than that, I really don't see many changes coming.

With all due respect, those would be terrible trades for the Knicks. Leon Rose and Scott Perry would get ripped by the New York media, and rightfully so. Knicks have something good going. This would ruin the momentum they've been building.

Here’s the problem with Westbrook. He looks good when he is the man. Unfortunately, he’s not good enough as THE MAN to take you anywhere. He hustles, and has great toughness and athleticism, but he’s not good enough to build around him and his skill set is not suited to being the third option. He needs the ball in his hands a lot to be fully effective. We saw his lack of value to the Lakers in that role and it would have been the same here if Kawhi and PG were playing.

Add his age into the equation and you have another reason to move on from him, PG, Kawhi and the rest of the plus 30s.

Looks like the whole league is down on K L. Remember, I suggested as a hypothetical trading him a couple of years ago. Never liked PG 13 but this is the team that could win, or not but I guess we have to blow it up. After kicking and screaming I'm convinced. Crazy for trading SGA.

whoever doesn't suit up in game 5 I want them traded this summer. PG looks good enough to go in an elimination game and I don't believe kahwi has a legit injury considering they can't say when he got hurt, he wasn't limping and he went for 30+ in game 2 supposedly after he was already hurt.

Put your uniform on and do whatever you can to help the team win a game. Season over if you lose so plenty of time to recover from these latest booboos.

Nick Nurse anyone?

rick3262

I've been in basic agreement except one thing. My gut says we will as much as possible stand pat. There is too much pride and ego and also investment in K L. although we did ttrade B G. Human nature makes you draw to an inside straight. I'm sure Ballmer has an ego the size of a small continent. He has staked his reputation on this team winning.and he is not a loser. Again I see your point and the $$$ ain't right.

I hope you realized that eating okra was just f*cking with you. How about beets?

I don't think anyone wants Kawhi. I'm assuming he doesn't need surgery, and he won't play for 6 months. He'll need to get into game form before any team considers him for a championship / playoff push. More than that, he's not going to opt in for his final year. It would have to be a desperate, really stupid franchise.

Westbrook and PG are like a package deal. They're super tight. If we keep both, we actually have a competitive group.

Nick Nurse anyone?

Pass. He did ok with Toronto the season after Kawhi left, but it's gotten worse since. And there was still some decent players on that team. He would do well for a young, rebuilding, up and coming team like Orlando. Or the Hornets.

Did a deep dive into the Clipper salary cap situation. Clippers can re-sign Russell Westbrook for the MLE of $7,021,000 if they do the following:

Let Eric Gordon's non-guaranteed contract of $20,000,000 expire.

Trade Norman Powell's $18,000,000 and Robert Covington's $11,692,308 to Indiana for their #26 first-rounder (and possibly their #29).

This allows them to re-sign Mason Plumlee at his current $9,080,417 salary.

This opens up minutes for Terance Mann and Brandon Boston, Jr. at SG

I've never had okra, but I love beet salad. Order it whenever I can.

I agree. If we lose tomorrow which ends the season and the starts don't play its time to move on. Kawhi is a hell of a talent but he does nothing for this team overall. Doesn't talk, doesn't lead, doesn't promote the team, doesn't sell jerseys, doesn't play, hasn't helped us become a bigger imprint in the city, the team can't speak on his injury status to the public and media, to the coaches and team's surprise he sat himself out of the 2nd half a game a few weeks ago.. seriously what are we doing here? Forget fun this is one of those fringe Netflix shows that needed to be canceled after one season. PG is joking around on his podcast on when he'll return. The team is leaking footage of him practice and running up stairs but he's still not playing in game 5.. so what is he practicing for, next season?

Pull the plug already! See if there's any takers on the east coast for our injury prone stars. Get a couple of first round pics in this draft. Resign Russ and have a core Russ, Norm, Mann, Zu, and Bones. Give Boston and Diabate a good long look to see if they're ready and can contribute. Move Morris, Batum, and Gordon and sign a power forward like Naz Reid from Minnesota. Add in our 2-3 first rounders to the mix. Then go after the Celtics Jaylen Brown who will be a free agent after the 2023 season. We'll have a fun and exciting team in our opening year of the Intuit Dome and contend for a championship the following year. Its an easy fix really. But does the front office have the balls to pull the trigger?

He looked good playing with PG & Kawhi before they got injured. He actually played more of a true point guard role and would set them up for good looks at the basket. He's only going nuclear because he has to or else we'll get blown out

Kawhi & PG have done nothing to pull in fans and galvanize the city in the four years they've been here. They don't play, they don't sell jerseys, they don't lead, hell Kawhi doesn't even talk for crying out loud. Russ is the guy to bridge us to the next era. Low key he's gotten more love and respect from the fans and media than Kawhi & PG combined in only a two months span as opposed to the four years that they've been here. Keep Russ and play the kids with him and we'll have a fun and exciting team in our final year at Crypto. Add Jaylen Brown in 2023 and hopefully one or two of the kids we get from the PG/Kawhi haul turns into something and we're right back in the mix for the opening of our new arena -and with one or two other moves we're contending for a title in our 2nd year at the Intuit Dome. We just have to take one year as a step back reorganize year and we're back in the mix shortly after. Kawhi & PG are sinking the ship quick fast, they're not doing jack sh*t for Ballmer, the team, nor the city. Especially while Bron is laying it all out on the line at nearly 40 years of age and winning playoffs games in the same city and building as us. Gotta man up, grow a pair, and move on.

See above. I changed my mind

I may be in the minority here, but I cannot give full blame to Ty Lue. Imagine, you’re a manger in a department and your executive team gives you two highly talented, sought out employees who have a solid and decorated track record. With this, your expectations are now higher because of the talent given to you. As a manager, you now try to incorporate the new employees into your management system to make it as efficient as can be and surround them with other employees who are complementary to your two stellar employees. All of a sudden, these two employees begin to take multiple vacations (short and long) and call out sick every other day. Most cases, this will cause a slow down in production and expectations will never be met because the employees given to you are not reliable. In the work force, these employees would be fired, regardless of potential or skill set. As much as it pains me, like everyone said, time to move on from Kawhi and PG.