Who Runs the Offense? Sorting Out the Clippers Playmaking Hierarchy

In any star-laden roster, the question of who calls the shots on offense is never simple. With the 2025–26 Clippers, the interplay between veteran facilitators and scorers will define their identity. At the top of that conversation is James Harden, who has long operated as a de facto floor general. Yet, with Chris Paul back in the fold, there will inevitably be moments when Paul tries to reclaim that role, especially late in tight games. This tug-of-war will be one of the season’s most compelling internal narratives.

Throughout the early and mid portions of games, Harden is likely to remain the primary orchestrator. His ability to initiate pick-and-rolls, make reads off movement, and draw defenses has kept him in high assist tallies throughout his career. Even as he ages, Harden’s vision and decision-making remain elite, giving him a strong case for sustained playmaking authority. His versatility allows him to drift off-ball or slide into shooter spots without losing influence over the offense’s flow.

Yet Paul arrives with a legacy of late-game control, and no doubt the coaching staff will trust his instincts when the margin is narrow. Over the final possessions, his composure, command of spacing, and clutch playmaking make him a dangerous option. It’s easy to imagine Paul taking over on crucial possessions, drawing up sets, pushing the pace, or calling for isolations when necessary. In these moments, the Clippers’ offense may become less about who started the game and more about who’s most trusted when it matters most.

Beyond Harden and Paul, other contributors will share playmaking duties in subsets. Bradley Beal can step into ball-handling roles, especially in transition or off post-ups, relieving pressure from the primary creators. Meanwhile, secondary guards like Kris Dunn or Bogdan Bogdanović may act as tertiary initiators when Harden or Paul rest. Their ability to push in secondary breaks or make reads off spacing will matter in keeping the bench offense fluid.

The supporting cast adds another layer. John Collins and Ivica Zubac won’t be primary initiators, but their spacing and screen-setting will heavily influence how freely the ball moves. Solid bigs who set good pin-downs or slip aggressively can make life easier for Harden and Paul. Off-ball movement, weak-side reads, and smart cuts will separate a smooth offense from a stagnant one.

So what will the pecking order look like? In most possessions, Harden should run the show, setting the tone and distributing. In crunch moments, Paul might reclaim command, especially if the game tightens and experience is at a premium. Then there’s the hybrid space, where Beal, Dunn, or Bogdanović take on playmaking duties to vary looks and rest the stars. The Clippers, blessed with multiple playmaking options, will look to ride balance rather than force hierarchy. If they pull it off, their offense could be among the most dynamic and unpredictable in the league.