The Los Angeles Clippers did big business to start the week off with a bang in the NBA. Reported by Shams Charania from ESPN, the Clippers traded Norman Powell to the Miami Heat, as John Collins arrives in L.A. to play with James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. On the other hand, Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson and a Clippers’ 2027 second-round are sent to the Utah Jazz. So this begs the question: how will the Clippers line up with Collins on their roster?
Well the obvious thing here is they let go of Norman Powell, who was a threat on offense and their starting shooting guard. They have the chance to either use Patty Mills as their point guard and make James Harden play at the 2, or, experiment with someone else as shooting guard. Let’s take a look:
Option 1:
- Point Guard: James Harden
- Shooting Guard: Bogdan Bogdanovic / Kris Dunn
- Small Forward: Kawhi Leonard
- Power Forward: John Collins
- Center: Ivica Zubac
Option 2:
- Point Guard: Patty Mills
- Shooting Guard: James Harden
- Small Forward: Kawhi Leonard
- Power Forward: John Collins
- Center: Ivica Zubac
Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks takes a three point shot during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Fiserv Forum on March 13, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
This is not the only move done by the Clippers
The Clippers also recently signed another big guy in veteran Brook Lopez. He will not only add size but can stretch the floor easily. Lopez is also an NBA champion so he will bring plenty of experience in key parts of the season.
see also
Bucks secure another guard amid swirling Damian Lillard departure rumors ahead of 2025–26 NBA season
The team also re-signed James Harden to a two-year extension. They let go of Ben Simmons, and as part of this trade, Norman Powell is no more on the roster. Powell’s departure is concerning, as he was a brilliant player last season. He averaged 21.8 points per game, second-best on the roster. However, this move is a sign the Clippers’ identity might be changing.
Is Lob City being reborn?
At the start of the 2010s, the Clippers had ‘Lob City‘ booming. Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan were terrorizing the league, as the point guard was an accurate facilitator, while the other two were dominant at the rim. See the pattern?
James Harden loves three things in life: his beard, his step-back three, and alley-oops. With Ivica Zubac, Lopez and now John Collins (who is an athletic freak and excels at finishing lobs), you can definitely see Ty Lue’s team turning back the clock into more of a physical team.
The Clippers will still have perimeter shooters, Harden included. That is a non-negotiable in today’s NBA. Bogdanovic, Mills, Nicolas Batum, and Kawhi Leonard all shot over 40% beyond the arc. Plus, you added Lopez too, who averaged 37%. However, there’s a clear emphasis on adding size and presence to the interior.
