If the Oklahoma City Thunder did not own the LA Clippers’ 2026 first-round pick, the long-term injury to Bradley Beal would have optimistically changed the team’s approach. Unfortunately, the Clippers cannot piggyback on what is left on their roster and hope for the best, forcing the front office to outline a specific trade-deadline deal for a scorer who can get buckets.
The Clippers learned through Beal’s inefficient 8.2 points per game that they do not have the system for a ball-dominant talent to thrive in an off-ball role. So, they must only evaluate options with a lengthy, proven track record, but not so long that LA is just stacking another aging veteran onto their already overflowing list of names.