LA Clippers · Franchise era 5 of 6
The culture reset: the LA Clippers story
The story in one sentence
A tenacious transitional group won 48 games and created the credibility and flexibility for another superstar pursuit.
A starless team earns its next swing
Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley and Montrezl Harrell gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for the kawhi era.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 2017–18
What came before
Paul's command and Griffin's explosiveness turned the Clippers into a perennial 50-win attraction, though the conference finals stayed out of reach.
- 23TradeJune 28, 2017
June 28, 2017
The sign-and-trade that paired Chris Paul with James Harden
Houston wanted another elite creator capable of challenging Golden State; Los Angeles needed value rather than losing Paul outright.
To HOU
To LACDraftPICKround asset+2 assetsChris Paul to HoustonHOU receives Chris PaulLAC receives Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell + 2 more6 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade → 2019
Western Conference First Round: LA Clippers vs Golden State Warriors
After 2018–19
What came next
Leonard and George delivered the franchise's first conference-finals appearance as the organization prepared to leave its shared arena past behind.
The core