NBA Insider Believes Clippers’ Current Plan Is To Prepare for an ‘All-Out War in 2027′

The Los Angeles Clippers traded veteran wing Norman Powell to the Utah Jazz as part of a three-team deal involving the Miami Heat. In return, the Clippers acquired big man John Collins.

This move is seen as enhancing the Clippers' long-term financial flexibility. Powell was entering the final year of his contract ($20.5 million) and expected a large new deal in 2026 free agency. Collins also has an expiring contract ($26.6 million), further preserving the Clippers' future salary cap space beyond 2027.

Analyst Tom Haberstroh highlighted that the Clippers have minimal guaranteed salary commitments for the 2027-28 season, with only center Ivica Zubac ($21 million) currently under contract. Key players James Harden and Kawhi Leonard will see their contracts expire before then.

Haberstroh suggests this positions the Clippers to pursue major free agents in the 2027 offseason, potentially joining an "arms race" with the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors, who also have minimal salary commitments beyond 2027. The 2027 free agency class is projected to include superstars Nikola Jokić and Giannis Antetokounmpo, though other notable players could serve as alternatives.

The Clippers appear to be balancing competing now with their current core (Leonard, age 34, and Harden, age 35) while strategically planning to build a contender for the future by creating significant cap space for the 2027 free agency period.