The Clippers didn't learn from the Phoenix Suns' mistakes, constructing the oldest roster in league history, and one of the most expensive. Los Angeles thought that it had a chance to win a championship with a roster comprised of current and former All-Stars. Reality told a different story. Does that sound a little familiar?
In ESPN's latest trade piece, Tim Bontemps discussed the CBA's restrictions and noted Phoenix's "top-heavy roster" last season, with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, older stars with injury histories. Over the summer, the Suns traded Durant to the Rockets and used the waive-and-stretch provision to move on from Beal.
Phoenix is by no means out of the clear, but this season's team has been a welcome surprise. The Suns are 14-11, seventh in the West.
As for the Clippers? They're 6-19, 14th in the West, one spot above the last place Pelicans.
Clippers should've learned from the Suns' mistakes
Los Angeles' highest-paid player is Kawhi Leonard, who is making $50 million this season at age 34. James Harden is behind Kawhi in salary at $39.2 million, at age 36. As everyone knows, Kawhi has battled injuries throughout his career. He has played in 15 of the Clippers' 25 games. Harden, on the other hand, has played in all but one game and is averaging 26.6 points and 8.2 assists per game.
If you go down the rest of the roster, there are three other players in their late 30s (Brook Lopez, Nic Batum, and Chris Paul). Yes, Paul is still on the roster, although LA sent him home. Bogdan Bogdanović, Beal, and Dunn are also in their 30s. Lopez and Bogdanović have been major disappointments, and Beal had season-ending hip surgery.
The Clippers aren't as expensive as the Suns were last season, and aren't a second apron tax team, but as you can see, there are similarities. Pairing aging stars together doesn't work out the way you think it should.
Los Angeles can't look forward to a high pick in the 2026 draft, either. The Clippers owe that pick to the Thunder as part of the Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and Paul George trade (talk about the rich getting richer). The Suns initially didn't have a lottery pick last year, but they received the No. 10 pick in the Durant trade.
Phoenix fans didn't see a light at the end of the tunnel this time last season, but that light eventually came. Los Angeles may not see that light anytime soon, though, as the Clippers are dealing with more than their on-court product and payroll. Remember the Aspiration scandal? That's still a thing.
As one Western scout told Bontemps, "The rubber is hitting the road for these older teams. [They] have nowhere to go."