- Oct 16, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
The Clippers open their season Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings at Intuit Dome, facing significant change on and off the court.
Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Ivica Zubac have departed from last season's roster. The team has turned to a new core that includes rookie Keaton Wagler, who spent the summer building his body and projects as a potential strong defender. Tyronn Lue remains as coach.
Darius Garland, a two-time All-Star guard, has healed from toe and foot ligament injuries and will run the point. Garland put up 19.9 points and 6.4 assists in 19 games last season. Bradley Beal, Kris Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr. and Brook Lopez are among the returning players. Kobe Sanders, who put up 7.3 points in nearly 20 minutes as a rookie, and Yanic Konan Niederhauser, a center who showed promise in 41 games before a foot injury ended his rookie season, also remain.
New additions include Brandon Ingram, an All-Star forward currently out recovering from May Achilles surgery; Gradey Dick, acquired as part of the Leonard trade to Toronto; Max Strus, out with a right foot injury suffered in training camp; Jalen Pickett, Baba Miller, Isaiah Jackson and Nick Martinelli. John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nicolas Batum and Bennedict Mathurin have departed.
The Clippers finished ninth in the West last season and fell to the Warriors in the play-in game. The organization also faces penalties for salary cap circumvention violations, including five forfeited first-round draft picks. Owner Steve Ballmer was banned courtside for one year, while president Lawrence Frank received a six-month ban. Lue praised his group's spirit, saying the "morale is great, even in these tough situations."
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).