Clippers Aim to Add 'Significant Piece' to Roster This Summer

LA has multiple options to improve team, including using cap space or mid-level exception

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:39pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting the dynamic action of a basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes in bold colors representing the players, court, and ball in motion.The Clippers' offseason plans aim to reshape the roster and accelerate their return to contender status through strategic moves and a willingness to take risks.Inglewood Today

The LA Clippers are looking to add at least one 'significant piece' to their roster this offseason, according to team President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank. The Clippers have several paths to improve, including using their cap space, mid-level exception, and potential high draft picks from trades. Frank said the team will explore all options to get the Clippers back to contender status after a disappointing season.

Why it matters

The Clippers are in a transitional period after failing to make the playoffs, and need to find ways to retool the roster and get back into contention. Their ability to add impactful talent this summer will be crucial to their timeline for returning to championship contention.

The details

The Clippers have several key decisions to make this offseason, including whether to bring back their current free agents and how to utilize their available cap space and mid-level exception. They also have multiple first-round draft picks, including a potential high lottery pick from the Indiana Pacers, that they could use or package in a trade for a superstar player. Frank said the team is exploring all options to get the Clippers back to contender status, whether that's through a more methodical roster-building approach or an aggressive move to land a star player.

  • The NBA Draft Lottery will take place on May 10, 2026, which could determine if the Clippers receive a high lottery pick from the Indiana Pacers.
  • The Clippers have several free agents this offseason, including some with team options, that they will need to make decisions on.

The players

Lawrence Frank

President of Basketball Operations for the LA Clippers.

Kawhi Leonard

Star forward for the LA Clippers.

Darius Garland

Point guard for the LA Clippers.

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What they’re saying

“The one thing I do know is this: we have the option of either operating out of cap space or using our full non taxpayer mid level. Either way, we're going to get the team better, we'll add at least one significant piece to the roster. And there's so many different potential options, some within our control, some that aren't. But it's our job, the back office, to literally turn over every stone, every rock to figure out how can we get this team back to, to contender status.”

— Lawrence Frank, President of Basketball Operations

“Our plan is to win with Kawhi. We obviously shown as an organization that we want to continue and we are driven to win. So at the appropriate time, we'll sit down with with Kawhi and very similar to 2024, lay out our plan and...”

— Lawrence Frank, President of Basketball Operations

What’s next

The Clippers will need to make decisions on their free agents, including whether to exercise team options, as well as explore trade and free agent options to add a 'significant piece' to the roster. The outcome of the NBA Draft Lottery on May 10 will also be a key factor in their offseason plans.

The takeaway

The Clippers are in a transitional period after missing the playoffs, and need to find ways to retool the roster and get back into championship contention. Their ability to add impactful talent this summer, whether through free agency, trades, or the draft, will be crucial to their timeline for returning to the top of the NBA.