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

President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank outlines Clippers' offseason plans to retool and rebuild for future contention.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 12:48am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented Clippers basketball game, with sharp planes of red, white, and blue representing the team's colors and the complex challenge of rebuilding the roster.The Clippers' offseason plans will require a strategic, multi-faceted approach to rebuild the roster and return the franchise to contention.Inglewood Today

The LA Clippers are looking to add at least one 'significant piece' to their roster this offseason, according to President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank. After failing to make the playoffs this season, the Clippers are transitioning into a 'competitive team' that will look to retool and rebuild through trades, free agency, and the draft.

Why it matters

The Clippers' inability to reach the playoffs this season marks a new low for the franchise, which has prided itself on being a consistent winner. This offseason will be crucial as the team looks to chart a path back to contention, with multiple avenues available to improve the roster.

The details

The Clippers have four tradable first-round picks in the upcoming draft, as well as the ability to use their full non-taxpayer mid-level exception to sign free agents. Frank said the team will explore all options, including potentially using those draft picks to acquire a 'superstar player' or taking a more 'methodical build' approach. The team currently has seven players under contract for the 2026-27 season, including Kawhi Leonard, Darius Garland, and Derrick Jones Jr.

  • The NBA Draft Lottery will take place on May 10th, which could impact the Clippers' offseason plans depending on where the Indiana Pacers' pick lands.
  • The Clippers have team options to exercise or decline with several players, including Bogdan Bogdanovic, Brook Lopez, and Nicolas Batum.
  • Bradley Beal also has a player option he can exercise or opt out of this offseason.

The players

Lawrence Frank

President of Basketball Operations for the LA Clippers.

Kawhi Leonard

Star player for the LA Clippers.

Darius Garland

Point guard for the LA Clippers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

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.”

— 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' offseason plans will become clearer after the NBA Draft Lottery on May 10th, which could determine if they receive a high lottery pick from the Indiana Pacers trade. The team will also have decisions to make on several free agents and team options.

The takeaway

The Clippers are at a crossroads, having fallen short of the playoffs this season. Their offseason moves will be critical in charting a path back to contention, with multiple avenues available to improve the roster through trades, free agency, and the draft.