A few years ago, the Los Angeles Clippers made two major moves in the same NBA offseason by bringing in superstar Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to be the team’s new dynamic duo and driving force to win the franchise’s first championship.
Although the Clippers looked incredibly intimidating on paper, with arguably the two-best two-way players in the league in the same starting unit, Los Angeles has never really seen what these two can accomplish as a duo, with one or both players constantly dealing with injury issues.
Every single year it seems that the Clippers are right back to square one with Leonard and George healthy to start the season and then end up seeing one or both stuck on the bench for long stretches during the season or during the NBA playoffs.
Last season ended with George and Leonard watching from the sideline in street clothes while Clippers newcomer Russell Westbrook tried to shoulder the load.
Heading into the 2023-24 NBA season, the Clippers are expected to be title contenders once again, but the narrative is starting to change, with few having faith that this team can stay healthy and competitive in the Western Conference, like ESPN’s Zach Lowe via NBA on ESPN.
Has the Clippers championship window already closed? 👀
"This season feels like the first one in which you have to ask the question: 'is it too late?'" —@ZachLowe_NBA pic.twitter.com/FxvUwq3gch
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 28, 2023
With the dynamic duo in Los Angeles falling short every year since they joined forces, it’s safe to assume that things could get progressively worse from here on out, with George and Leonard not getting any younger.
However, if the team can get some help with the team potentially trading for James Harden, things could change in Los Angeles, but it remains to be seen whether that trade will happen before next season.
NEXT: Clippers Reportedly 'Unserious' About James Harden Trade
