Clippers’ Slide Sparks Speculation After Bill Simmons Floats Multi-Team Trade Idea

The Los Angeles Clippers entered the 2025–26 season with hopes of contending, but their first month has veered sharply off course. Sitting at 4–10 and losers of eight of their last nine, the team has struggled to generate consistency amid a roster hit hard by injuries. The absence of Kawhi Leonard has loomed especially large, placing increased pressure on James Harden to anchor an offense that has lacked stability and depth.

Harden’s production has kept the Clippers competitive at times, but the team’s shortcomings on the perimeter continue to surface. As losses mount, questions have emerged about whether Los Angeles can realistically climb back into contention without roster reinforcements. That conversation grew louder this week after a prominent media figure floated an ambitious, multi-team trade framework involving the Clippers.

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons proposed a scenario featuring the Kings, Celtics, and Clippers—one that would bring All-Star guard Zach LaVine to Los Angeles while reshuffling pieces across all three rosters. Though the idea appears unlikely to progress beyond the hypothetical stage, it has sparked conversation about whether the Clippers need a significant midseason shake-up.

With their schedule intensifying and little margin for error, the Clippers face a critical stretch ahead—one that may influence how aggressively the front office approaches the trade market in search of answers.

1. A Big Pitch: Simmons’ Multi-Team Trade Scenario

Simmons’ proposal featured a complex exchange centered on Los Angeles receiving Zach LaVine and Sacramento forward Dario Saric. In the scenario, the Kings would acquire Bogdan Bogdanovic and John Collins from the Clippers, along with Boston guard Anfernee Simons. Sacramento, Simmons argued, would benefit from significant future cap flexibility with a large package of expiring contracts. Meanwhile, the Celtics would land Malik Monk, providing a scoring boost while trimming their projected luxury-tax burden. Simmons highlighted the move as a financial win for Boston, citing Monk’s additional years of team control as another favorable element. For the Clippers, the headline attraction would be LaVine—a proven wing scorer who could help alleviate the offensive load on Harden and compensate for Leonard’s extended absence. LaVine’s ability to create off the dribble and thrive in transition aligns with one of Los Angeles’ glaring needs: dependable perimeter production. While Simmons acknowledged the unlikelihood of such a multi-layered deal materializing, the hypothetical underscored the reality that Los Angeles is in urgent need of offensive reinforcement. And for Clippers fans, the idea of injecting LaVine’s scoring punch into a struggling lineup had understandable appeal.

2. Clippers’ Early-Season Struggles Deepen Without Leonard

Beyond the hypothetical trade chatter, the Clippers’ immediate concerns remain rooted firmly in their on-court issues. Los Angeles has faltered on both ends of the floor during Leonard’s prolonged injury absence, with defensive lapses and late-game stagnation contributing to their recent skid. Harden has provided steady playmaking and scoring, but the supporting cast has not been able to consistently shoulder the load. The team’s 4–10 record reflects a mix of injuries, cold shooting stretches, and difficulties defending athletic wings—an area where Leonard normally excels. Depth concerns have grown more pronounced, especially with opponents targeting mismatches and exploiting the Clippers’ thin rotation on the perimeter. Adding to the broader frustration is the reality that reinforcements may not come easily. Financial constraints, the lack of substantial trade assets, and the uncertainty surrounding Leonard’s timeline have all complicated the Clippers’ pathway forward. Even marginal improvements will be challenging as the schedule toughens in the coming weeks. Still, the organization has maintained hope that Leonard’s return could stabilize the season. Until then, the Clippers remain reliant on Harden’s nightly efforts while searching for answers in what has become one of the league’s most turbulent early-season stretches.

3. A Tough Road Ahead—and No Draft Relief Coming

Compounding the Clippers’ precarious situation is the draft capital they owe to the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Los Angeles will send its 2026 first-round pick to OKC, removing any opportunity for a down season to produce future compensation. That reality places added pressure on the Clippers to remain competitive despite their rocky start. Schedule-wise, the weeks ahead offer little respite. A mix of playoff-caliber opponents and road-heavy stretches threaten to deepen the Clippers’ early-season hole. Without a healthier roster—and possibly without outside help—the uphill climb could grow even steeper. The suggestion of a blockbuster multi-team trade underscores the degree of urgency surrounding the franchise. While Simmons’ scenario is widely viewed as more thought experiment than impending negotiation, it reflects the growing sentiment that Los Angeles may need to explore bold solutions to salvage its season. The Clippers return to action Thursday on the road against the Orlando Magic, hoping to halt their slide and regain momentum before the standings drift further out of reach.