Draymond Green believes the Los Angeles Clippers will be one of the more difficult teams to face in the Western Conference next season despite losing Kawhi Leonard and reshaping their roster during the offseason.
Speaking on The Draymond Green Show, the Golden State Warriors forward pointed to Los Angeles’ remaining talent and head coach Tyronn Lue as reasons opponents should not expect an easy matchup.
“This is not a Clipper team that you’re just gonna come out and run over next year,” Green said. “They got some good talent on that team, including two guys I just named. Rui Hachimura, Ty Lue is not coming out and just laying down.”
Green compared the Clippers’ outlook to the Phoenix Suns’ 2025-26 season. Phoenix finished 45-37 and secured the No. 8 seed in a Western Conference that featured several teams with winning records.
“I guarantee you, think Phoenix last year, this is gonna be a tough game on your schedule every time you play this team,” Green said. “And so, with those guys, I think that needs to be their mindset heading into it.”
The Clippers enter the season without Leonard, who was traded to the Toronto Raptors after averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 65 games last season. Leonard shot 50.5% from the field, 38.7% from three-point range and 89.2% from the free-throw line while earning All-NBA Second Team and All-Star honors and finishing seventh in MVP voting.
Los Angeles went 42-40 last season and finished ninth in the West. The organization subsequently shifted its roster toward a younger core while adding several players who could immediately contribute.
The Clippers selected point guard Keaton Wagler No. 5 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft and also acquired Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick in the Leonard trade. Wagler is expected to become an important part of the team’s backcourt after entering the league as the franchise’s highest draft selection.
Los Angeles also signed Rui Hachimura to a two-year, $28 million contract and brought back Bradley Beal on a two-year, $13.2 million deal that includes a player option. Max Strus was acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers in August, while Kobe Sanders signed a four-year, $11.2 million contract.
Hachimura averaged 11.0 points and 5.2 rebounds for the Lakers in 2025-26 while shooting 43.7% from three-point range, according to the supplied team data. Beal appeared in only six games for the Clippers last season, averaging 8.2 points in 20.2 minutes per game.
The Clippers will also continue to rely on veterans such as Lue and their remaining experienced players while integrating younger pieces. Green specifically highlighted Hachimura and Lue when explaining why he expects Los Angeles to be competitive.
The Clippers’ offseason has unfolded amid significant off-court developments as well. The NBA fined the franchise $30 million and stripped it of five future first-round picks following its investigation into salary-cap circumvention involving Leonard, while owner Steve Ballmer received a one-year suspension.
Despite those circumstances and Leonard’s departure, Green expects the Clippers to approach next season with the mentality of a team capable of making every matchup difficult.
