Los Angeles Clippers have maintained flexibility for 2026 by structuring recent contracts with team options and partial guarantees, keeping them in position to open $50–60 million in cap space. This move allows them to potentially pursue Luka Doncic.
Los Angeles Clippers have kept their financial flexibility intact while remaining competitive, putting themselves in a position to make a major splash in 2026.
Despite re-signing James Harden (on a partially guaranteed deal for the 2026–27 season), Brook Lopez, and Nicolas Batum (both with team options for 2026–27), the Clippers are projected to have $50–60 million in cap space in two years.
This flexibility gives the Clippers a real chance to compete with the Los Angeles Lakers for superstar Luka Doncic.
He was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Lakers in a blockbuster deal for Anthony Davis last season.
With the Lakers, Doncic put up strong numbers, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game while shooting 43.8% from the field and 37.9% from three-point range.
Despite Doncic’s individual production, the Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, losing 4-1 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
