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Darius Garland, Ty Lue Only Members Of Clippers Certain To Return Next Season
April 17, 2026
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Tyronn Lue and Darius Garland are the only two confirmed pieces of the Los Angeles Clippers' future following their play-in elimination loss to the Golden State Warriors, as the franchise heads into an offseason clouded by roster uncertainty and an ongoing NBA investigation. Lue is under contract as head coach through 2029. Garland, acquired at the February trade deadline from the Cleveland Cavaliers in the James Harden deal, is signed through 2028.
A league source told The Athletic that both will return next season. Kawhi Leonard has one year left on his contract, and the franchise must decide whether to extend him or pursue a trade. Another league source said the Clippers believe the NBA's investigation into an alleged salary cap circumvention scheme involving Leonard will not produce significant punishment and that his contract will not be voided. I think we're going to be in the clear, Leonard said after Wednesday's loss. I'm not stressing. The NBA draft lottery on May 10 looms as a pivotal date. If the Indiana Pacers' pick falls outside the top four, the Clippers would select fifth or sixth, a potential factor in whether Leonard and the club opt to run it back together. John Collins enters unrestricted free agency. Bennedict Mathurin, a restricted free agent, wants a starting role. Bradley Beal is expected to return from hip surgery but carries a player option. Veteran role players Nicolas Batum, Brook Lopez and Bogdan Bogdanovic all carry team options the Clippers could decline. The franchise has now gone five straight seasons without a playoff series victory when they reached the Western Conference Finals in 2021.
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