After including veterans like Bradley Beal, Brook Lopez, John Collins, and Chris Paul, the Clippers seem poised for a championship push proper now.
However behind the scenes, the franchise is reportedly laying the groundwork for an enormous swing in 2027, one that would convey two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to L.A.
“However what they’ve actually achieved right here is evident the books for 2027,” Invoice Simmons mentioned on The Invoice Simmons Podcast. “It’s as a result of Giannis is a free agent in the summertime of 2027…I believe this can be a actual factor, I believe the Bucks are scared of it.”
Solely Ivica Zubac is below contract for the 2027–28 season, leaving the Clippers with near-max cap flexibility. Simmons believes that was no accident.
“However I believe should you’re the Clippers, and brief time period, you may compete with a puncher’s likelihood for a title, however long run, you’ve got $20 million on the books for 2027,” he mentioned. “This can be a crew that spends each doable asset, greenback, to impress the those that play for it, and I believe that’s their finish recreation is that summer time of 2027, short-term ‘let’s attempt to win’, long-term Giannis.”
Zach Lowe echoed the sentiment, including, “All people is aware of the timetable of Giannis’ contract, all people sees how determined the Bucks are.”
Regardless of the chatter, Milwaukee isn’t prepared to maneuver on from their franchise cornerstone. The Bucks have reloaded round Antetokounmpo, including Myles Turner, Cole Anthony, and Gary Harris, whereas re-signing Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr., and Gary Trent Jr.
“By all accounts, he’s effective in Milwaukee, and the crew goes to be fairly good,” Simmons mentioned. “That they had a very good offseason when you think about that the second-best participant on the crew was going to overlook all the season…They’ve added collectively a crew that, in a weak convention, with the most effective participant within the convention, at the very least is now within the recreation.”
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