If you haven't checked the standings lately, the Los Angeles Clippers are doing something that basically shouldn't be possible in the modern NBA. They are old. Not just "veteran" old, but historically, "is there a retirement home on-site?" old.
The current LA Clippers roster entered the 2025-26 season with an average age of 33.2 years. That is the oldest roster in the history of the league. Seriously. Yet, here they are in mid-January 2026, fresh off a stretch where they won 11 of 13 games and are breathing down the necks of the playoff seeds in the Western Conference.
Honestly, the vibes around this team have shifted like four times since the summer. People laughed when they brought back Chris Paul for a final farewell tour, then they panicked when the team started 0-27 (okay, that’s a slight exaggeration, but the start was horrific), and now? Now, they look like the smartest guys in the room.
The Stars: Kawhi and Harden's Tightrope Act
The whole project still begins and ends with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. It’s a high-wire act.
Kawhi has been playing out of his mind, averaging 28.2 points and shooting nearly 50% from the field. But because he’s Kawhi, you’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop. As of January 17, 2026, he’s actually sidelined with an ankle sprain he picked up against the Knicks on the 7th. It’s his first real absence since November, which is actually a win for him.
Then there’s James Harden. He’s 36. He’s on a two-year, $81.5 million deal that pays him about $39.2 million this season. Most people thought he’d ask for a trade when things got ugly in November. He didn't. He’s stayed committed to the hometown team, playing point guard like a seasoned floor general. He’s currently leading the team in assists and even putting up 30-point nights when Kawhi is out.
The depth chart is a wild mix of "I remember him!" and "Who is that kid?"
- Point Guard: James Harden, Kris Dunn, TyTy Washington Jr. (Two-Way)
- Shooting Guard: Bogdan Bogdanović (currently out with a hamstring), Cam Christie, Jordan Miller
- Small Forward: Kawhi Leonard (Ankle - GTD), Nicolas Batum, Derrick Jones Jr. (Knee - Out until Feb)
- Power Forward: John Collins, Kobe Brown, Patrick Baldwin Jr.
- Center: Ivica Zubac, Brook Lopez, Yanic Konan Niederhäuser
Why the Current LA Clippers Roster is Built This Way
Owner Steve Ballmer didn't just spend $2 billion on the Intuit Dome to watch a rebuilding team. He wanted stars for the new building's debut season. That’s why you see guys like Brook Lopez and Bradley Beal on this team.
Wait, Bradley Beal? Yeah, he’s here, though most fans forget because he’s out for the season with a hip injury. The Clippers used their mid-level exception to snag him and Lopez in the offseason. It was a massive gamble on health that hasn’t entirely paid off, but Lopez has been huge as a backup for Ivica Zubac.
Zubac is actually the anchor. He’s 28, which makes him a "youngster" on this squad. He’s under contract longer than almost anyone else, and his chemistry with Harden in the pick-and-roll is basically the only reason the offense works when the jumpers aren't falling.
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The Chris Paul Situation
We have to talk about CP3. The reunion was the feel-good story of the summer. Chris Paul back in Clippers colors for his 21st season? It was poetic.
It was also short-lived.
The Clippers released him on December 3, 2025, after just 16 games. It was a cold move that got a lot of heat from the media, but the front office clearly felt they needed to lean into more defensive-minded guards like Kris Dunn to survive the West's gauntlet.
The Youth Movement (Yes, There Is One)
While the starters are all pushing 35, the end of the bench has some legitimate intrigue.
The Clippers actually used a first-round pick this year! They took Yanic Konan Niederhäuser, a 6'11" center out of Penn State, at number 30. He’s been bouncing back and forth between the main roster and the San Diego Clippers (the G League affiliate), but the coaching staff loves his mobility.
Then there’s Kobe Sanders. He’s a 6'8" guard on a two-way contract who dropped 25 points in a preseason game against Golden State. When the injuries piled up in December, Sanders actually got some rotation minutes. He’s the kind of rangy, versatile defender Ty Lue loves.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Clippers' Future
The common narrative is that the Clippers are "screwed" because they have no picks and an old roster.
That's not entirely true.
The front office has been very specific about their contracts. Almost everyone—Harden, Leonard, Beal—is set up to potentially come off the books in 2027. They are eyeing that 2027 free agency class where guys like Giannis, Jokic, and Luka could potentially be moving.
They aren't just old; they’re strategically old. They are trying to remain competitive while keeping their cap sheet clean for the next "big splash."
Current Injury Report and Status
If you’re tracking the roster for upcoming games, keep an eye on these specifics:
- Kawhi Leonard: Ankle sprain. He’s day-to-day. The team is being ultra-cautious because, well, he's Kawhi.
- Derrick Jones Jr.: Knee injury. He’s expected back around mid-February.
- Bogdan Bogdanović: Hamstring. Likely back within the next week.
- Bradley Beal: Out for the season (Hip).
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're following this team, stop looking at the age and start looking at the match-ups.
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- Watch the Intuit Dome Factor: The Clippers are playing significantly better at home. The "Wall" (their dedicated fan section) is actually having an impact on opposing free-throw shooters.
- The Harden/Zubac Connection: In games where Zubac records a double-double, the Clippers' winning percentage skyrockets. Harden is hunting that lob every single possession.
- Monitor the 2027 Plan: Don't expect the Clippers to take on any long-term money at the trade deadline. They are obsessed with that 2027 cap space.
- Betting Note: The Clippers have been one of the best "under" teams when Kawhi is out, as their pace slows to a crawl and they rely on heavy half-court sets.
The current LA Clippers roster is a weird, expensive, aging experiment. It shouldn't work. But with Ty Lue pulling the strings and Kawhi playing at an MVP level when he’s on the floor, they are a lot more dangerous than the "retirement home" jokes suggest. Keep an eye on the standings; if they stay healthy through February, they are the team nobody wants to see in the first round.