Examining Clippers' Salary Cap, Decisions for 2025 NBA Free Agency After Nuggets Loss

Exiting the NBA playoffs is always a disappointment, but the Los Angeles Clippers still had a successful year in 2024-25.

Paul George's departure in free agency last summer led to minimal expectations for LA this season. Heck, we projected a 36-46 record for the Clippers.

However, they withstood yet another prolonged absence for Kawhi Leonard behind a resurgent James Harden and career-best campaigns from Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac. LA finished 50-32, fifth in the Western Conference.

The first-round elimination at the hands of the Denver Nuggets stings, nevertheless.

Los Angeles pushed Denver to seven games but ultimately couldn't close out the series, suffering a 120-101 loss in Game 7.

And now, the Clippers need to decide if this offseason is a time to keep trying to build around Leonard and Harden or make a few dramatic moves.

Led by Kawhi's $50 million salary, per HoopsHype, Los Angeles currently has 10 players under contract for 2025-26 for about $133 million.

The main questions are a pair of player options—more on them in a minute—that bring LA's cap sheet to $174.1 million. In a best-case scenario, the Clippers could even skirt the $187.9 million luxury tax.

Despite that possibility, the Steve Ballmer-backed franchise won't be afraid to approach the first ($195.9 million) or second apron ($207.8 million).

Los Angeles, even if not incredibly flexible, has a healthy financial outlook.

Given how James Harden performed this season, it would be a massive win if "The Beard" exercised his $36.3 million player option.

That's probably not the likely outcome, though.

Harden certainly may sign a new contract to stay on the Clippers, but it won't be—barring a shock—for a lesser rate. He already took discounted deals with the Philadelphia 76ers and Clips in recent seasons.

The other player option belongs to Nicolas Batum, a veteran wing due to make $4.9 million if he returns. Batum considered retiring last offseason but joined LA instead; does he have another season left?

Are the Clippers committed to the existing core?

Leonard is a superstar when healthy, which is one mountain of a caveat because he's missed so much time in recent years. Los Angeles might not even be considering a trade, but we cannot rule it out completely.

That conversation and Harden's future—whether he opts in, opts out and re-signs or opts out and leaves—will shape LA's level of aggressiveness.

Let's project the Clips to move forward with both players, though.

Using the mid-level exception, Los Angeles should be targeting an impact addition like forward Guerschon Yabusele or center Luke Kornet.

Otherwise, pursuing depth on the wing—in players such as Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr. or Bruce Brown—to prepare for Leonard's seemingly inevitable yearly absence would be wise. Amir Coffey could re-sign, as well.

The rest of the roster will presumably be filled out with a first-round pick and minimum deals. Perhaps a player like Ben Simmons or Tyus Jones fits the latter.