As a longtime NBA analyst who's been covering the Los Angeles Clippers for over a decade, I've never seen a roster quite as fascinating as this current iteration. When fans ask me "Who's on the LA Clippers roster?" these days, my answer requires more nuance than ever before. This team has transformed from the Lob City era into something entirely different - a fascinating blend of established superstars, redemption projects, and young talent that keeps me constantly reevaluating their ceiling.
I remember watching Game 5 of the best-of-seven semifinal series at Smart-Araneta Coliseum last season and thinking how dramatically this team has evolved. Kawhi Leonard remains the cornerstone when healthy - and that's the crucial caveat that haunts every Clippers conversation. When he's on the court, he's still arguably the best two-way player in basketball, averaging 23.8 points with that robotic efficiency we've come to expect. But having watched approximately 65% of regular season games from the sidelines over the past three seasons, his availability remains the million-dollar question. Paul George complements him perfectly as that smooth secondary scorer, though I've always felt he defers too much in crunch time - a tendency that cost them in last year's playoffs.
What makes this roster special, in my view, is the supporting cast they've assembled. I've been particularly impressed with Ivica Zubac's development into a legitimate starting center. His rebounding numbers - 10.2 per game last season - don't fully capture how he's transformed their interior defense. Then there's Norman Powell, who I consider one of the most underrated sixth men in the league. His ability to create his own shot has bailed them out countless times when the offense stagnates. The Russell Westbrook experiment has been... interesting. I'll admit I was skeptical when they signed him, but his energy off the bench provides a different dimension, even if his shooting percentages make me cringe sometimes.
The role players tell an even more compelling story. Terance Mann has become my personal favorite to watch - his athleticism and improving three-point shot (shot 38.9% last season) make him invaluable. Meanwhile, Bones Hyland brings that microwave scorer potential, though I wish he'd show more consistency on defense. The recent additions of P.J. Tucker and KJ Martin give them much-needed versatility, but I'm concerned about their spacing with Tucker's declining offensive game.
Looking at their current construction, I believe this might be the deepest Clippers roster I've ever analyzed. They have legitimate 10-man rotation quality, which matters tremendously during the grueling regular season. However, the championship question still hinges on health - particularly Kawhi's knees and PG's various ailments. Having covered their playoff runs since 2013, I've seen too many promising seasons derailed by injuries at the worst possible moments. This core probably has one more legitimate shot before the organization faces some tough decisions about their future direction. The pieces are there - the execution and durability remain the final hurdles for a franchise still chasing that elusive first championship.