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How the Los Angeles Lakers could ruin the next decade for the Clippers

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 22: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers calls for the ball while guarded by Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers during a 116-109 Clippers win in the season opening game at Staples Center on December 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 22: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers calls for the ball while guarded by Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers during a 116-109 Clippers win in the season opening game at Staples Center on December 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers are the most historic franchise in the NBA. The purple and gold are tied for the most NBA Championships (17) with the Boston Celtics and have more superstars and dynasties than any other franchise in the league.

And since 1984, the Los Angeles Lakers have been the big brothers to the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Clippers are one of the notorious franchises in sports that are known for not being successful. For much of its existence, the franchise was among the worst teams in the league. Even when the Clippers made the playoffs, though, they never got far. The Clippers have never made it out of the second round.

The last decade has been the most successful period in franchise history for the Clippers. Lob City put the Clippers on the map and now the team has Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, making one of the best duos in the entire NBA.

Despite that, and despite the Lakers’ several losing seasons, the Lakers are the lone team in LA with a championship in the last 10 years, not the Clippers.

Unfortunately for fans of the Clippers, the Lakers could get yet another laugh over the Clippers this season and could ensure that the team has yet another decade of not winning anything.

How the Los Angeles Lakers can ruin the next decade for the Los Angeles Clippers:

It is ironically going to take some losing by the Los Angeles Lakers for this to happen. The worst-case scenario for the Clippers is having to play the Lakers in the first two rounds of the NBA Playoffs.

The Clippers are currently the third seed in the Western Conference and the Lakers are the fifth seed. If the Lakers fall to the sixth seed then they would play the Clippers in the first round. If the Lakers are the seventh seed they could see the third-seeded Clippers in the second round, but that is unlikely.

There is also the possibility of the Clippers falling to the fourth seed and the Lakers staying as the fifth seed, which would set a first-round matchup for the two teams.

Then all it takes is the Los Angeles Lakers beating the Clippers in a seven-game series. A healthy Lakers team (as long as LeBron James and Anthony Davis are 100%, which is not guaranteed) will be favored over the Clippers.

The Lakers beating the Clippers in the first two rounds, especially if it is the first round, would be a death sentence for the future of the team. Kawhi Leonard can opt-out of his contract and there is already the possibility of him leaving LA after just two seasons.

Evan Massey of NBA Analysis Network (who first reported that the Lakers were interested in Ben McLemore) reported that the Miami Heat could intrigue Leonard in free agency next offseason. Even if it is not the Heat, there is the potential of Leonard leaving LA.

He has not shown franchise loyalty before so why would he show it again? If the Clippers get bounced in the first two rounds and Paul George has yet another bad showing then that could be enough evidence to Leonard that it won’t work out with the Clippers.

It is not like the Clippers can pivot and bring in another star, either. The Clippers signed both Marcus Morris and Luke Kennard to four-year, $64 million contracts and they have no draft capital to trade.

So Kawhi Leonard could leave and if he does the Clippers are in trouble. Sure, Paul George would still be around and he did just sign an extension with the team but that does not make the team a contender. Paul George alone as the number one star is not enough to win an NBA Championship and there are not any free agents next season that could instantly replace Leonard.

Then suddenly George will be unhappy and probably force his way out of LA, just like he did in both Indiana and Oklahoma City.

The Clippers striking out on the George-Kawhi duo won’t do the team any favors in recruiting new superstars and it is not like the Clippers can rebuild in the draft. The next draft pick that does not have any kind of swap or outright trade attached to it is the 2027 first-round pick.

You then figure it would take that first-round pick, assuming they hit a home run and get a superstar, another 3-4 years to be capable of leading a contender. The best-case scenario would be another competitive team in 2031 if Leonard leaves. That should scare every single Clipper fan.

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The Los Angeles Lakers are always going to be the more intriguing free-agent destination and will continue being the big brother in LA, especially if they are the ones to knock the Clippers out of the NBA Playoffs.

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