Los Angeles Clippers preview: Opening schedule, win projection and everything to know for 2026-27

The 2026-27 NBA season is here! Check out our team previews, including power rankings, best- and worst-case scenarios, and fantasy advice.

East:Atlanta Hawks • Boston Celtics • Brooklyn Nets • Charlotte Hornets • Chicago Bulls • Cleveland Cavaliers • Detroit Pistons • Indiana Pacers • Miami Heat • Milwaukee Bucks • New York Knicks • Orlando Magic • Philadelphia 76ers • Toronto Raptors • Washington Wizards

West:Dallas Mavericks • Denver Nuggets • Golden State Warriors • Houston Rockets • LA Clippers • Los Angeles Lakers • Memphis Grizzlies • Minnesota Timberwolves • New Orleans Pelicans • Oklahoma City Thunder • Phoenix Suns • Portland Trail Blazers • Sacramento Kings • San Antonio Spurs • Utah Jazz

Record: 42-40 (9th in the West, lost in play-in tournament to Warriors)

Draft: Keaton Wagler (No. 5), Baba Miller (No. 36), Nick Martinelli (No. 55), Narcisse Ngoy (No. 57)

Signings: Kobe Sanders (re-signed for 4 years, $11.3 million), Jordan Miller (re-signed for 3 years, $15.3 million), Rui Hachimura (2 years, $28 million)

Trades:Brandon Ingram (from Raptors), Gradey Dick (from Raptors), Max Strus (from Cavaliers)

Key departures:Kawhi Leonard (traded to Raptors), Bogdan Bogdanovic (signed with Rockets)

Current roster

What's exciting: Can the pick-and-roll combination of Keaton Wagler and Yanic Konan Niederhäuser turn into something special? Yanic showed plenty of flashes screening for James Harden last season, exploding for lobs and showing enough coordination to catch on the move, take a dribble and finish. Wagler could give him plenty more opportunities. He was one of college basketball's best playmakers at Illinois, and together they could form a duo that gives Clippers fans something to feel good about amid a murky time in the franchise's history.

What's concerning: I feel for Clippers fans. The franchise is depleted of draft picks, and while there are young players worth watching, only Wagler offers star upside — and that's coming from a big fan of Kobe Sanders. That puts a lot of pressure on Wagler to become someone the next era can revolve around. And if he doesn't? Gulp. As a franchise, how do you sell patience when you can't offer a clear path forward? For many fans, it'll be hard to find a reason to tune in. — Kevin O'Connor 

Preseason Power Rankings: How all 30 teams stack up ahead of 2026-27

The risers are Isaiah Jackson and Rui Hachimura. Jackson started the opener and HC Ty Lue reportedly likes the Darius Garland-Jackson combination. If he starts over Brook Lopez, he's worth a late-round flier. Hachimura benefits because the Clippers desperately need another scorer while Brandon Ingram (heel) is out. He has 20 ppg upside early on. — Dan Titus

Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Basketball league for the 2026-27 NBA season

Opening week: 10/21 vs. Kings, 10/23 at Lakers

Complete schedule

28.5 — win total

+2500 to win division

+75000 to win NBA Finals

Best case: No. 10 seed

There's enough juice here to be annoying, especially if they get 60+ games out of Garland and Ingram. In theory, you have a high-end initiator in Garland and a quality failsafe in Ingram. A cast of role players and youngsters that can shoot and beat tilted defenses could vibe well with them.

Get enough defensive buy-in overall — lord knows head coach Ty Lue is going to ask for it — and I wouldn't be totally shocked by a high 30s/low 40s win total.

Worst case: Bottom of the West

If Garland and/or Ingram miss substantial time, this could be a really rough group in the half-court. I'd worry a little about Wagler being overburdened in a context like that, though you could argue those reps could pay off down the road. — Nekias Duncan

Read the full Pacific Division preview