Should the Clippers Consider a Midseason Shakeup?

The Clippers are once again hovering in that frustrating gray area, competitive, talented, and experienced, yet not fully convincing as a top-tier threat in the Western Conference. With Kawhi Leonard and James Harden anchoring the roster, Los Angeles still boasts one of the league’s most accomplished duos, but the inconsistencies are hard to ignore. Long scoring droughts, defensive lapses, and the inability to close out winnable games have become recurring patterns. These issues raise a critical question as the season progresses: Is this the group that can realistically make a deep postseason run, or is it time for the Clippers to look outward?

One major area of concern is the unpredictability of the wing rotation. Kobe Brown and Jordan Miller bring energy and upside, yet their contributions fluctuate from game to game, leaving Ty Lue in constant search of stable production. The Clippers need at least one of their young wings to become a nightly positive on both ends of the floor, especially given the heavy workload placed on the starters. Without a dependable secondary wing, opposing teams frequently exploit LA’s transition defense and force mismatches. For a team built around veteran stars who thrive in controlled half-court settings, a lack of reliable perimeter support creates real vulnerability.

Depth in the frontcourt remains another pressing issue, particularly when Ivica Zubac heads to the bench. Zubac’s value as a rim protector, rebounder, and screen-setter is well established, but the team’s drop-off without him continues to be steep. Backup bigs bring hustle but not the size or positional awareness needed to survive against elite interior players in the West. This often pushes the Clippers into small-ball lineups that work in short bursts but struggle over longer stretches. Rebounding deficits and second-chance points allowed have cost LA multiple momentum swings in close games.

A midseason shakeup doesn’t have to be dramatic. Yet, targeted upgrades could meaningfully shift the Clippers’ trajectory. Adding a defensive wing or a trustworthy backup center would stabilize the rotation and remove pressure from the stars. With the Western Conference tightening and margins shrinking, standing pat may not be enough to keep the Clippers in the contender conversation.