2023-24 Projected Starting Lineup For Los Angeles Clippers

• The Los Angeles Clippers went 44-38 last season but lost to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games

• Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook headline the Clippers' starting lineup

• Could 2023-24 be the final season of the Leonard-George era?

The Los Angeles Clippers have yet to reach the NBA Finals since acquiring Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in the summer of 2019. Leonard and George have only played in 118 regular-season games together. Both stars have been prone to injuries since becoming teammates. 

The Clippers are potentially facing a crossroads with their roster since Leonard and George both have player options for the 2024-25 season. If Los Angeles doesn’t compete for a title next season, the Leonard-George era could be over.

Los Angeles will have three All-Stars in its starting lineup next season, but who will round out the starting five? Let's find out. 

---

Point Guards

Starter: Russell Westbrook

Reserves: Bones Hyland, Jason Preston

Russell Westbrook began the 2022-23 season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was traded to the Utah Jazz at the February trade deadline and waived by Utah. The UCLA product joined the Clippers as a free agent after getting waived by the Jazz and averaged 15.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 7.6 assists in 21 games with LAC.

Westbrook signed a two-year, nearly $8 million contract with the Clippers this offseason in free agency. Los Angeles president Lawrence Frank was impressed with Westbrook’s urgency, intensity, and professionalism last season.

“In the two months Russ spent with the team, he was everything we hoped he would be and more,” Frank said on July 7. “He made a huge impact on the court with his play and off it with the urgency, intensity, and professionalism he brings to the gym on a daily basis.”

The Clippers faced the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2023 playoffs. Kawhi Leonard only played in Games 1 and 2, and Paul George missed the entire series, so Westbrook’s usage rate went up. Westbrook averaged 23.6 points, 7.6 boards, and 7.4 assists in the Suns series, but it wasn’t enough to help the Clippers win, as the Suns won the series in five games.

The Clippers went 11-10 with Westbrook in the lineup last season. It will be intriguing to see how many games Los Angeles wins next season with Leonard, George, and Westbrook playing together.

---

Shooting Guards

Starter: Paul George

Reserves: Terance Mann, Amir Coffey

Paul George averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists for the Clippers last season. The 33-year-old signed a four-year, $176 million extension with Los Angeles in December 2020. George will make $45.6 million next season and has a player option worth $48.8 million for the 2024-25 season.

George has only played in 87 out of a possible 164 games in the past two seasons. The New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers were interested in acquiring George from the Clippers this offseason, but things changed after New York and Portland got word that George was seeking a huge extension. George is eligible for a contract extension worth almost $220 million over four years.

In 189 games with the Clippers, George is averaging 23.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists. He has to stay healthy next season for Los Angeles to make some serious noise in the rugged Western Conference. 

---

Small Forwards

Starter: Kawhi Leonard

Reserves: Norman Powell, Kenyon Martin Jr.

Kawhi Leonard appeared in 52 games last season for the Clippers, averaging 23.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists. The two-time Finals MVP played in two games in the 2023 playoffs before suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee. Leonard underwent offseason surgery, but he's expected to be ready for training camp. 

Leonard averaged 34.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in Games 1 and 2 of the first round against the Suns before missing the rest of the series. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year signed a four-year, $176.3 million contract with the Clippers in August 2021. He missed the entire 2021-22 season, recovering from an ACL injury.

Leonard has played in 161 games with the Clippers. He's averaging 25.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists. Los Angeles will only go as far as Leonard and George can take the team next season. 

---

Power Forwards

Starter: Marcus Morris

Reserves: Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington

Marcus Morris averaged 11.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 65 games for the Clippers last season while shooting 42.6% overall, 36.4% from 3, and 78.2% from the free-throw line.

The Clippers tried to trade Morris this offseason, but they couldn't find a deal that made sense. Morris will make $17 million next season and become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2024. 

In 195 games with the Clippers, Morris is averaging 12.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. 

---

Centers

Starter: Ivica Zubac

Reserve: Mason Plumlee

Ivica Zubac appeared in 76 games for the Clippers this past season. He averaged 10.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists while shooting 63.4% from the field and 69.7% from the free-throw line.

Zubac has career averages of 8.8 points and 7.1 rebounds with the Lakers and Clippers. He signed a three-year, $32.8 million contract extension with the Clippers in June 2022 and will make $10.9 million next season. 

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported in June that the Clippers made Zubac available in trade talks. Los Angeles re-signed Mason Plumlee this offseason, giving the veteran a one-year, $5 million deal.

If the Clippers trade Zubac during the 2023-24 season, Plumlee would become the starter. Los Angeles acquired Plumlee from the Charlotte Hornets at the 2023 February trade deadline. The big man averaged 7.5 points and 6.9 rebounds in 23 games with the Clippers. 

Plumlee has career averages of 8.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists with the Brooklyn Nets, Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Hornets, and Clippers. He’s a strong rebounder and rim protector.