Just a few days ago, it seemed the Los Angeles Clippers were unlikely to make any moves before the trade deadline. After a rough start to the season with a 6-21 record, they have surged impressively, winning 17 of their last 21 games—the best run in the NBA during that time—fuelled by Kawhi Leonard’s MVP-level play. Now sitting ninth in the Western Conference, any transactions would likely position them as buyers, but coach Tyronn Lue downplayed the possibility of major changes, saying, “In our situation, we don’t see too much movement.”
That statement now feels almost ironic because, on the final day before the deadline, the Clippers traded away their number two and three players, shifting their strategy from contending this season to focusing on the future. These moves were surprisingly bold for one of the NBA’s hottest teams but also among the best deals made during the deadline period.
This shift is somewhat bittersweet for fans who enjoyed watching the Clippers evolve into a strong team they hoped to be this season. Still, from a team-building perspective, the front office’s decisions are hard to fault. They did the equivalent of turning James Harden into a younger All-Star guard and turned an underwhelming asset from the Cleveland Cavaliers into valuable draft picks. They also converted Ivica Zubac, a player acquired multiple times through trades, into a promising first-round asset—an especially noteworthy maneuver.
Starting with the Harden trade: unless Garland is severely limited by injury, acquiring him cheaply is a major win for the Clippers. Garland just had a career-best season last year, averaging 20.6 points on 60 percent shooting and playing a key role in the league’s top offense. Though it may feel odd to see a dynamic lead guard alongside Leonard after Harden’s two-year tenure running the offense off the ball, Garland’s youth and skillset represent a bright future.
Concerns remain about Garland’s durability—he has only played 26 games this season and has been sidelined since mid-January, though he has expressed eagerness to return. The Cavaliers, aiming to win now and having convinced Donovan Mitchell to sign an extension, understandably pursued Harden. For the Clippers, with little draft capital and a long history, trading Harden (who turns 37 in August) for Garland (26) avoids tricky contract extensions and adds a rising star for their rebuilding efforts.
One question holds considerable intrigue: what will become of the protected draft picks acquired in the Zubac trade? To recap, the Indiana Pacers agreed to send a draft pick in 2026 to the Clippers with double protection, meaning the pick stays with Indiana if it falls between 1st and 4th or after 10th. This is risky for the Pacers, who currently hold the third-worst record in the NBA and could lose their “gap year” pick if it lands between 5th and 9th, which would then become an unprotected first-round pick in 2031. Given the Pacers’ struggles, LA has a 47.9% chance of gaining that pick.
Ivica Zubac, at 28, has developed significantly since being traded from the Lakers to the Clippers in 2019, becoming a strong rim protector, post-up player, passer, and finisher. He made the All-Defensive Second Team last year and will join Haliburton as the roll man next season, but the package of assets the Clippers obtained might make parting ways with him worthwhile. Besides the pick mentioned above, LA also received unprotected draft rights for 2029, as well as promising young players Benedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson, while sending winger Kobe Brown to Indiana.
Mathurin, once considered a contender for Most Improved Player, did not convince the Pacers to retain him for his final rookie season contract but has posted career highs this year with 17.5 points per game and nearly 59% shooting from three-point range. At just 23 years old, he gives the Clippers a talented scorer to evaluate ahead of restricted free agency. Jackson’s contract runs through 2028, presenting a salary cap challenge, but he adds frontcourt depth alongside Zubac.
As with all trades involving picks, young players, and injury concerns, there are many variables at play, especially with Indiana’s unique pick protection. However, the Clippers seem to have come out ahead in terms of value. They have moved past an era defined by acquiring Leonard and Paul George in 2019 and are now clearly building toward a new future.
Fan Take: This blockbuster deadline shake-up marks a pivotal moment for the Clippers, signaling a shift from a short-term title chase to long-term team construction, which every basketball fan should watch closely. How LA integrates young talent like Garland and Mathurin could reshape their identity and influence the balance of power in the Western Conference for years to come.
