The Los Angeles Clippers made a move on Monday that saw them ship off their second-leading scorer from last season. There were some questions raised about why they got rid of Norman Powell and his 21.8 points per game average, especially given that they were a dark horse in the race for an NBA championship in 2025.
Clippers Could Have Big Money To Spend In 2027
But in addition to the trade bringing in some much-needed help at power forward, they have an eye on the future, most specifically the year 2027.
One of the reasons that the team traded Powell was due to his contract situation. The 32-year-old has just one year left on his current deal, and is scheduled to become a free agent next summer. Powell and his camp were looking to get something done on that front sooner rather than later, and are likely seeking a multi-year deal that will take the player well into his mid-30s.
BREAKING: The Clippers, Jazz and Heat have agreed to a trade that sends Norman Powell to Miami, John Collins to Los Angeles, and Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson and a 2027 Clippers second-round pick to the Jazz, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/o0FkV0o2l8
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 7, 2025
The Clippers didn’t want to make the commitment. Instead, they’ll have their eyes set on a couple of years down the road, when they’ll likely have significant cap space.
The 2026-27 season is the final year on the contracts of both Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. The duo is set to make a combined $92.6 million that year, which will come off of the books two summers from now. Essentially all of the rest of their current roster will be expiring as well, with Ivica Zubac being the only player that has a contract running past 2027.
Sources: The Los Angeles Clippers were reluctant to give Norman Powell a long-term extension as he enters the final year of his deal ($20.48 million) with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden signed through the 2026-27 season. The Clippers are prioritizing significant cap space in 2027
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 7, 2025
So the trade of Normal Powell can be seen in two ways. Not only does the team re-tool around Leonard and Harden in order to make a push this coming season, but they’re also planning for the future and setting themselves up nicely in order to do so.
There is still plenty of time between now and 2027, but looking at the list of potential NBA free agents for that offseason brings more light to the plan for the Clippers. Names like Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokić could make up a massive class of free agents, which Los Angeles could have the upper hand for if they manage their money correctly.
