MMBets: The Los Angeles Clippers and the start of new Aspirations

HONOLULU, HI - OCTOBER 4: Keaton Wagler #1 of the LA Clippers shoots the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors during the 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 4, 2026 at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jay Metzger/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The events of the last twelve months in Los Angeles Clipper headquarters must have been brutally exhausting. In the past year, the Clippers have:

• Been featured on Pablo Torre Finds Out at least ten times for the Aspiration saga
• Due to that, they have been under NBA investigation for circumventing the salary cap
• Traded away two mainstays of their team over the last couple years, James Harden and Ivica Zubac
• Hosted NBA All-Star Weekend
• Lucked into the fifth overall pick in the NBA Draft, used on Illinois guard Keaton Wagler
• Traded away Kawhi Leonard
• Docked five first round draft picks, Ballmer suspended for a year due to cap circumvention investigation

Suffice to say, there is a LOT that has happened in Inglewood recently, and I’m sure getting everything behind them from the previous era of Clippers basketball is best for everyone involved. 

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – OCTOBER 10: Keaton Wagler #1 of the LA Clippers looks on during the 2026-2027 NBA preseason game between Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors at Rogers Arena on October 10, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elizabeth Ruiz Ruiz/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Unlike most situations where you have a team that’s hitting a hard reset, the Clippers have no incentive to be terrible, as their future first round draft capital has been forcefully taken by the league office. So, where does that leave the Clippers? Let’s dive in.

Los Angeles Clippers: Last season 42-40, lost in Western Conference Play-In GameOver/Under: 27.5 wins (-110/-115)To win Pacific Division: 30/1To win Western Conference: 600/1To win NBA Finals: 1000/1Key additions: Keaton Wagler (5th pick in Draft), Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick (Kawhi deal), Max Strus (Cleveland), Rui Hachimura (LA Lakers)Key losses: Kawhi Leonard (Aspirations of Toronto), John Collins (Detroit), Many draft picksINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 07: Darius Garland #10 of the Los Angeles Clippers waits to enter the game as head coach Tyronn Lue looks on during the second quarter of an NBA game against the Dallas Mavericks at Intuit Dome on April 07, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I’m sort of buying the Clippers in the short term. Yes, rookie point guards taking a ton of minutes is typically a recipe to stink out loud as a team, but this entire thing isn’t on the shoulders of Wagler. Darius Garland, provided he’s healthy, should carry quite a bit of the burden. There are enough combo guards and wings to help get the offense going. I like Hachimura for this team, Brandon Ingram is solid and you’ve got plenty of bodies with Strus, Gradey Dick, old friend Derrick Jones Jr. and more to fill out the rotation. Ty Lue is a good coach, and the Clippers have no reason to be bad. They’re going to be better than the folks at Fanduel think.

Prediction: Over 27.5 wins (-110)