Clippers Start 1-7, Face Trade Deadline Questions
The Los Angeles Clippers opened the season with seven straight losses, leaving many around the league expecting them to sell before the deadline.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Basketball
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Would you still attend Clippers games if the team trades its veterans this season?
The LA Clippers are 1-7 to open the season after losing seven consecutive games. Many NBA front office personnel view the team as a likely seller ahead of the trade deadline.
Why it matters
A slow start puts the Clippers' veteran roster and future plans under scrutiny. Contending teams could benefit from adding players the Clippers may move.
The Clippers have a 1-7 record and four veterans on expiring contracts earning between $5.6 million and $16.6 million. Rui Hachimura carries a $14 million salary this year and a $14 million team option for next season.
The players
LA Clippers
The Los Angeles-based NBA franchise that began the season 1-7 and is expected by many league executives to be a seller before the trade deadline.
Brandon Ingram
A veteran NBA forward who holds a player option for next season and has not yet debuted this year due to an injury from last season.
Bradley Beal
A veteran NBA guard who holds a player option for next season and has not yet debuted this year due to an injury from last season.
The details
The Clippers have lost seven games in a row to start the season. Kris Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr., Brook Lopez, and Max Strus are on expiring deals, while Brandon Ingram and Bradley Beal, who have yet to debut this season due to injuries from last season, hold player options for next season.
Timeline
Trade deadline (upcoming): Clippers expected to be considered sellers ahead of the deadline.
2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons: Player and team options for next season will factor into roster decisions.
Season Trajectory
Teams that open below .500 with expiring veterans typically become sellers at the NBA trade deadline, shifting playoff and draft positioning across the league. The Clippers' 1-7 start places them in that category, which could reshape the trade market for contenders seeking rotation depth.
Fantasy managers should note that Kris Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr., Brook Lopez, and Max Strus could step into larger rotation roles if traded to contenders. Watch for roster moves that could shift playing time across the league.
The takeaway
A slow start can quickly turn a team into a seller, and veterans on expiring deals often become the most valuable trade chips. Following trade deadline activity can reveal which players may find new roles.
What happens next
The NBA trade deadline is upcoming, when the Clippers are expected to be considered sellers.
Further reading
Explore more Basketball coverage for context on the NBA season and trade deadline.
Live Poll
Would you still attend Clippers games if the team trades its veterans this season?
