Los Angeles Clippers: 2025 Offseason Priorities and Salary Cap Dynamics

I examine the Clippers limited means to improve the roster, James Harden's contract situation, what an extension for Norman Powell could look like, and doom about their overall outlook.

The Los Angeles Clippers were scathed last summer for putting themselves in a position to lose Paul George for nothing. This made doubling down on this era by trading additional future draft equity for James Harden make less sense. They have no incentive to rebuild or bottom out and no control over their draft picks through 2029.

But when it came time to decide on George in last year’s free agency, they were right not to match his four-year, $212 million maximum offer from the Sixers. They wouldn’t be subjected to second apron restrictions which opens up significant flexibility below the first apron. This allowed them to replenish their depth with savvy additions through free agency and sign-and-trades. They’ll be looking to repeat that formula this summer to improve the roster and perhaps aim higher with the types of players they’ll pursue.

Law Murray joined the podcast a couple of weeks ago to discuss the Clippers and their upcoming offseason. We went through their two-year plan and listed some targets they could pursue to improve the rotation. It’s a good companion piece for this preview, which will focus on salary cap dynamics. In particular, how they could improve the roster under the first apron, restructuring Harden’s contract, and what an extension for Norman Powell could look like.