Los Angeles Clippers season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

Coach Tyronn Lue and the Los Angeles Clippers could struggle to make a significant run during the 2026-27 season.

The organization has fallen from playoff contention to a team likely dropping near the bottom of the Western Conference as a result of its offseason.

The NBA announced disciplinary action against the team on Sept. 2 after an external law firm completed enough of its investigation and shared its findings with league commissioner Adam Silver.

The Clippers were fined $30 million and were told to forfeit five first-round draft picks (2029–2033). Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and two of the team’s executives were also suspended.

The Clippers also used the offseason to create a younger roster. The team traded Kawhi Leonard, who is 35 years old, and moved on from Nicolas Batum (37) in free agency while adding players such as Brandon Ingram (29) and Gradey Dick (22). The Clippers were one of the oldest teams in the league, with an average age of 33.2 years last season.

The team will have signs of inexperience, but it could create an opportunity for players such as first-round pick Keaton Wagler to get significant playing time early and often.

Here's a breakdown of the Los Angeles Clippers' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Los Angeles Clippers offseason review

• Record last season: 42-40 (9th in Western Conference)
• Playoff finish: Did not qualify
• Coach: Tyronn Lue (seventh season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +75000 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record : 31-51
• Offseason grade : C+

Key roster additions

• G Keaton Wagler (draft pick)
• F Baba Miller (draft pick)
• F Rui Hachimura (free agency)
• G Max Strus (traded)
• F Nick Martinelli (traded)
• F Johni Broome (traded)

Key roster losses

• F Kawhi Leonard (traded)
• F Nicolas Batum (free agency)
• G Bogdan Bogdanović (free agency)
• F/C John Collins (free agency)

Biggest question entering training camp

Who will step up as the Clippers' top player?

• The Clippers traded Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, officially ending a chapter in the organization's history. The Clippers will start the season without a bona fide star player and MVP contender on its roster. Newly acquired Brandon Ingram will have an opportunity to fill the role, but he will have to show he can be durable, which was something that worked against Leonard at times as well. Leonard did play 65 or more games in two of the last three seasons, but was limited to just 37 games played during the 2024-25 season. Ingram did take a step forward, playing in 77 games for the Raptors last season, just two games shy of his career-high during his rookie season. The forward was limited to just 18 games played with the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2024-25 season.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Darius Garland
• G Keaton Wagler
• F Brandon Ingram
• F Rui Hachimura
• C Brook Lopez

Rotation players

• C Yanic Konan Niederhauser
• C Isaiah Jackson
• G Kris Dunn
• G Max Strus
• G Bradley Beal
• G Gradey Dick
• G Kobe Sanders
• F Derrick Jones Jr.
• F Jordan Miller
• F Baba Miller

What to expect in 2026-27 season

Expectations won’t be high for the Clippers for the upcoming season. The Clippers already took a step back with a 42-40 record last season after making the playoffs in 2025. The Clippers are likely to take another step back. The team is projected to win just 31 games this season.

The team had championship expectations after acquiring Leonard and Paul George in 2019. Both players are now back in the Eastern Conference, while Los Angeles will battle for a chance at the play-in tournament.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Los Angeles Clippers season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

Information in this article was imported automatically into a template written and reviewed by a USA TODAY Sports editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Golden Nuggets: Game day

San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig (33) hurdles over defenders during Super Bowl XIX, a 38-16 victory over the Miami Dolphins on January 20, 1985, at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California. (Photo by Paul Fine/Getty Images)

I can’t wait to see how Connor Colby and Jake Brendel handle the Miami Dolphins defensive line, how the 49ers secondary takes care of the Dolphins offense, and whether the 49ers throttle up or down. It’s natural to let your guard down, being in their position, so we will learn a lot about this team today. I have high expectations. They earned it with their performance ten days ago. Let’s get this win and let’s get out with minimal injuries. Go Niners! 

How the 49ers are readjusting after weeklong Australia trip
“Perry, the team’s vice president of player health and performance, and his staff provided players with instructions on how much water to drink on the plane, how long to stay up before falling asleep and when to wake up.

Right tackle Colton McKivitz said the objective was to stay up for a couple of hours (an easy enough task with so much adrenaline still pumping from the game), go to sleep in their lie-flat seats, and then wake up for the final few hours of the flight.

McKivitz estimated he slept for about seven hours. Running back Christian McCaffrey said he was out for about 13 hours, which was about the same as rookie defensive tackle Gracen Halton. Defensive end Nick Bosa was in the same range.

“I actually felt it worse on the way back,” Bosa said. “Going out, you just kind of power through a few hours and then go to bed early and then just stay on a little earlier wake-up is what I did. And then when I came back, it’s been kind of hard to get to bed, but [Tuesday] night I got to bed nice and early.”

Kawakami: Why do the 49ers suffer so many injuries? Here’s my grand unifying theory (paywall)
“Shanahan and John Lynch seek out players who never want to come off the field, which is good for team spirit and fighting through tougher times but sometimes bad for the health of those players.

I don’t think Shanahan and Lynch have ever told an injured player to keep going no matter what. I just believe that they seek out hardy souls who run to contact and don’t want to let down their teammates. Which happen to be character traits of players who will try to ignore more reasonable medical advice.

Should Stribling have been kept off the field on Thursday after he initially hurt his ankle? Yes. But he wanted to keep going. The 49ers’ doctors allowed it; there’s always risk of worsening an injury and it’s always a judgment call.

But if Stribling didn’t want to go back in, he wouldn’t have gone back in. And the 49ers have built this roster — and won a lot of games — with players who want to go back in…

….they gather hard-nosed players, they charge through practice, they play games full-tilt, and they believe that tough players sometimes can make it back into the lineup faster than anyone else expected.

This stuff resonates in an NFL locker room. When you trust the players, the players trust you. Plus, sometimes it really pays off. Why else would the 49ers have brought George Kittle and Nick Bosa with them to Australia and to play in Week 1 after both had only recently returned to practice?

Or how could Shanahan and Lynch know that this group of players would respond well to flying out to Australia a week early, blow out the Rams, and understand what it takes to be ready for the Dolphins on Sunday?

The 49ers put a lot of trust in their players. Sometimes they put too much trust in their recovery powers; there are benefits and there are consequences for this. But the 49ers would rather keep that level of faith than players who deserve no faith at all.”

Eddy Pineiro will kick for 49ers against the Dolphins
“According to Matt Maiocco, the team did not sign either one, which means they’re confident Eddy Pineiro is no longer sick and will be available for Sunday’s home opener against the Miami Dolphins.

Pineiro didn’t practice all week due to an illness. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Friday the team would work out kickers ahead of the game. It was unclear whether that move was preventive. Turns out, that’s exactly what happened.”

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Eagles at Titans predictions for Week 2 of 2026 NFL season

Eagles at Titans predictions for Week 2 of 2026 NFL season originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Eagles (1-0) are traveling to Nashville to play the Tennessee Titans (0-1) at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Here are our predictions:

Reuben Frank (1-0)

The schedule is going to get much harder starting next week when the Eagles begin a stretch against the Bears in Chicago, the Rams at the Linc and the Jaguars in London. So getting the lowly Titans in Week 2 is perfect timing for the Eagles, who should – and better – get out of Nashville 2-0. This is a terrible Titans team that opened the season with a two-touchdown home loss to a Jets team that hadn’t won a road game by two touchdowns in three years. Perfect chance for the Eagles to fix what didn’t go well in their opener – pass rush, running game, pass protection, run defense – against a team they should dominate. The Titans are 9-36 in their last 45 games and the Eagles need to take advantage of this opportunity and blow this team out and get themselves to 2-0 before things get tougher. 

Eagles 30, Titans 17

Dave Zangaro (1-0)

The Eagles are big road favorites this weekend and they need to go down to Nashville and take care of business. This is one of those games the Eagles need to win and it would be nice if they didn’t let an inferior team hang around. If they have two too-close-for-comfort wins, they’d be 2-0 but there would probably be some serious questions about this team going forward.

With that said, I don’t think this game is going to be particularly close. The Titans just lost to the Jets by two touchdowns and are coming off a three-win season in 2025. I really don’t think they’re going to be much better in 2026. Cam Ward is talented but hasn’t been able to put it together and as nice as it probably was for him to get the No. 4 overall pick, Carnell Tate, in the building, it’s not going to change this team overnight. Their overall weapons aren’t great and that offensive line might not be able to hold up against the Eagles’ DL. I know, I know. We said that last week, but this is another opportunity for the Eagles’ pass rush to thrive.

On the other side of the ball, the Eagles will have to help out the interior of their line as they face All-Pro Jeffery Simmons. But a healthy Drew Kendall gives the Eagles a much better shot than a clearly hampered Landon Dickerson. As long as Simmons doesn’t wreck the game, the Eagles should be able to move the football on the ground and through the air.

Eagles 24, Titans 10

Barrett Brooks (1-0)

I’m looking for run production on the offensive side of the ball. There were times when I saw the new scheme take an L because it is so new to the line. The new run scheme is based heavily on zone blocking. I like to call it track blocking. The Eagles’ O-line has previously been in a man blocking scheme. Now they must block a space and when someone enters the space, latch on and block that defender. I know it was disappointing in Week 1, but I see how good this scheme can be for the offense. There are little adjustments and tweaks that will lead to great runs and make the play-action game a viable option. 

The defense at times looked amazing. I know everyone is harping on the sack production, but the defensive ends actually had a better game than statistics showed. I believe the edge rushers were told to stay in their rush lanes and mush Rush QB Jayden Daniels. He is such a good scrambler that the ends would have to rush through the OTs, instead of trying to beat them around the hump. The ends had to collapse around the QB and keep Daniels in the pocket.

I said all that to say: the Eagles should manhandle the Titans. The Titans are in the middle of a rebuild. The Eagles are still in position to go deep into the playoffs. They must not play to the level of any of their opponents. The Eagles must set the gold standard from this point forward. 

Eagles 31, Titans 12

Mike Mulhern (1-0)

The Eagles have never won in their three previous trips to Nashville, and it’ll be a scorcher on Sunday with near-100 degree temperatures. Thankfully, they face a Titans team lacking in talent that just got run over by the Jets. The brain trust of Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll led a pair of New York football franchises into the ground, then went out and acquired all the former Jets and Giants they could. That’s not exactly a recipe for success. 

In the end, it comes down to 2025 first overall pick Cam Ward. It’s been a disappointing start to his career. He was the 40th-rated passer as a rookie and matched that 80.2 rating in their Week 1 loss. He’s also lacked the flashes of “wow” moments fans can cling to for hope. Vic Fangio’s defense should feast on the young signal caller.

Expect an improved run game with the injured Landon Dickerson being replaced in the starting lineup by (presumably) Drew Kendall. The Eagles shouldn’t need Jalen Hurts to save them this Sunday. He can simply “play QB” and they should walk away with an easy win.

Eagles 27, Titans 13

Ashlyn Sullivan (1-0)

I don’t think this game is as much of a cakewalk as everyone thinks it is. I could see the Eagles offense especially coming out slow and this being a closer game than we imagined, at least in the first half. The one strength of the Titans matches up with the biggest weakness the Eagles have right now: the uncertainty on the offensive line with guard Landon Dickerson being placed on IR. Titans interior defensive lineman Jeffrey Simmons is one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL, and pairing with John Franklin-Myers makes for a pretty tough matchup for the Eagles guards this week. I think this will be a big game for the Eagles defensive line and they will find the pass rush that was lacking last week. Titans quarterback Cam Ward will put the ball in danger and take some sacks — he was sacked three times alone last week. I think the Eagles offense eventually finds its footing in the second half and the Eagles advance to 2-0 on the season. 

Eagles 31, Titans 14

Ryan Fowler (1-0)

Week 2 in Nashville is the definition of a trap game. For the Eagles, a massive Week 3 showdown looms with the Chicago Bears, but the focus this week will be to not glance too far over the horizon at what’s next. Instead, it’s about handling business in the form of a Titans team that struggled mightily on either side of the ball against the Jets in Week 1.

On offense, I expect Philadelphia to execute at a high level as a unit this week. I’d like to see some more screen game and targets for Makai Lemon beyond the line of scrimmage, but this is the game where Sean Mannion’s group should control the clock with the ground game before taking their shots downfield. The operation wasn’t perfect against Washington, but this is a chance to grow as a unit, open up the playbook a bit, and take care of business early. An underwhelming front seven (8 total pressures in Week 1) and a weak secondary for Tennessee sets the stage for what should be a nice day for all involved with limited push to stop the run and a lack of juice off the edge on passing downs. 

For Vic Fangio’s group, go hunt this week. Multiple sacks on the first series, force a few turnovers, heck, score a touchdown on defense. That’s my expectation for this group in Week 2. Cam Ward has all the arm talent to make every throw in the book, but his mechanics and process under center along with the correlating surroundings and structure of the offense was flat out ugly to open the year. There’s perimeter talent present in Wan’Dale Robinson and 2026 first-round WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State), but I just don’t see a path here where Ward and the Titans threaten this Eagles defense other than a few plays here and there and a possible late score in garbage time. Combine the fact that Ward is a primary pocket passer and nothing like we saw last week with Jayden Daniels’ ability to extend plays, and I expect a massive week for Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Jalyx Hunt — whose seven pressures against Washington ranked 5th-most among all defenders in Week 1. 

Eagles 24, Titans 3

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Ex-Kentucky staffer Brandon Weems becomes NBA GM

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 6: Brandon Weems, Maverick Carter, Keith Dambrot, & LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a photo during the game on April 6, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jim Poorten/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

John Calipari’s deep NBA connections are the open secret to his legendary recruiting success. Need proof? Look no further than the 44 of his college players selected in the first round of the NBA Draft.

However, the assistants who have grinded alongside him haven’t always replicated that success when taking the reins themselves. Historically, the 11 Calipari assistants who moved on to Division I head coaching jobs have scraped together a combined record of 1,491–1,522.

But one former Kentucky staffer is breaking the mold by bypassing the college coaching route entirely. According to an official release from NBA.com, Brandon Weems has been promoted to general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Weems cut his teeth in Lexington, landing his first coaching job with Kentucky. He quickly climbed the ladder to become the program’s assistant director of basketball operations, serving as a vital behind-the-scenes piece of the Wildcats’ 2012 national championship run.

His rise in Cleveland’s front office is backed by hard results. Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman praised the move, stating, “He has been instrumental in our player evaluation and roster-building processes, has a deep understanding of our culture, and has grown into a tremendous leader.”

Adding another cool layer to the promotion, Weems was actually a high school teammate of Akron’s own LeBron James. The King would leave Cleveland only to return and bring an NBA title home to Cleveland in 2016.

Now, Weems is tasked with helping construct another championship roster for that same franchise, this time building around Donovan Mitchell.

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Sean McVay: Myles Garrett is like Wolverine, healing fast, but we won't rush him back

Rams coach Sean McVay says defensive end Myles Garrett's knee surgery was successful, but it's too soon to tell when Garrett will be back on the field.

"It went good, he's feeling good, you already see he had crutches yesterday and then he was walking without crutches today. He's like Wolverine, healing fast," McVay said.

That doesn't necessarily mean Garrett will be back on the field on October 18 for the Rams' Week 6 game against the Cardinals, which is the earliest he's eligible to return from injured reserve.

"I'm reluctant to put a timeline on it," McVay said. "We know that he's going to miss those four weeks at a minimum. We're not going to rush him back. We want to make sure he's feeling good, he's able to get on the practice field, do all the things that are necessary for him to perform at a level that he's been accustomed to. I'll keep you guys posted as we have updates, as we go."

Garrett did next to nothing in the Rams' Week 1 loss to the 49ers and can't play for the next four weeks, so the Rams will be about one-third of the way through the season before they get any meaningful contributions for him. That wasn't the plan when they traded for him, but the Rams' top priority is having him ready late in the season and in the playoffs, and McVay sounds confident that will happen.

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Rams’ Sean McVay wants no part of playing in Australia ‘ever again’

Rams coach Sean McVay, quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Davante Adams.

Sean McVay would like to remove Australia from the Rams’ travel itinerary.

Possibly forever.

The Rams coach was discussing putting the 27-7 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne behind his team when he offered a suggestion that probably will not make it into the franchise’s international marketing materials.

“We’re not playing in Australia ever again, I hope,” McVay said. “Not because it wasn’t a great atmosphere, that’ll get taken out of context.”

Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay (front) and his assistant coaches look on during the second half of the Rams’ Week 1 loss to the 49ers on Sept. 10, 2026 at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

He saw the headline coming and supplied it anyway.

Half serious and fully aware of how the comment would travel, McVay sounded like a man who enjoyed the hospitality considerably more than the football.

There is one small complication with his proposed travel policy: Australia is part of the Rams’ international marketing territory.

The people responsible for growing the franchise’s presence there might have thoughts about abandoning the continent after one loss.

McVay’s vote has been recorded. It might not carry the room.

What he really wanted was some distance from a game the Rams would prefer not to revisit.

Preferably with assistance from Hollywood.

“That game is so far. … It’s almost like you try to do the ‘Men in Black’ thing where you say, ‘Hey, I don’t remember what happened. That was so long ago,’” McVay said.

Matthew Stafford looks to pass during the Rams’ Week 1 blowout loss to the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia. AFP via Getty Images

Unfortunately, the NFL does not issue memory-erasing devices alongside its game film.

The Rams will have to settle for playing better.

With the Giants coming to SoFi Stadium on Monday night, McVay emphasized preparation, concentration and bringing an edge to the next challenge.

His players, meanwhile, were not treating the trip as an explanation that needed to follow them home.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford offered a straightforward assessment of any lingering effects.

Davante Adams makes a catch over San Francisco cornerback Jack Jones during the first half of the Rams’ Week 1 blowout loss to the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“Not too bad, not too bad,” Stafford said. “Obviously, the travel was what it was. But no, I feel ready to rock and roll.”

Receiver Davante Adams was even more direct about separating the flight from the football.

“We can sit here and try to make excuses and say it’s because of the flight all we want. But at the end of the day, I didn’t feel tired. I didn’t feel crazy fatigued in the game and I felt good enough to go out there and put what we’ve typically put on tape,” Adams said. “We can make excuses all we want, but they played better than we did and that’s what I attribute that to more than the flight.”

So the Rams are moving forward, with their quarterback feeling ready and their receiver declining to blame the airline.

Their coach would simply prefer that the next flight come with fewer time zones.

And no return ticket to Melbourne.

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Countdown to Practice #3: Paul McNeil

P2 to the rim! | Credit: NC State Men’s Basketball

Welcome to the Preseason – Basketball practice officially starts in 3 days, September 21^st.  

Before last season, BTP posters were saying, “I can’t remember who’s on the team this season.” We’re here to help!

We’re counting down the 10 days to the beginning of practice ’26-‘27 by taking another look at this season’s roster, focusing on the 10 players most likely to make an impact. This article is about Coach Gainey’s biggest win of the offseason; despite being outbid by other schools, Paul McNeil has returned to the NC State Wolfpack.

Basketball News

• Generally the weight gains reflect what we have already been told – EXCEPT WILKINS
• Finally we have Jurkovic’s weight, and he’s a little taller than we thought
• Smartly, McNeil added an inch to boost his NBA resume
• Whitty got busted

Predicted breakdown of minutes per player:

#2 Paul McNeil

This will be Paul’s third season on the Wolfpack team, and his third (and most expensive!) coaching staff. Paul will be forever loved by fans for sticking with the program through the coaching changes, just as much as for setting the program record for most made 3PT shots in a season and having a 47/10 double-double in last season’s Heritage game. It’s becoming less common that players of his ability stick around 3 seasons, so we probably won’t get another.

• Ht / Wt:6’5” / 190
• Position: Guard
• PPG / RPG / APG:13.8 ppg / 3.6 rpg / 0.8 apg
• Shooting: 43.3% / 42.7% (105-246) / 82.4%

’25-’26 season Highs:

• Points: 47 points, double digits 23 games, 20+ 8 games
• Double-Doubles: 1
• Rebounds: 10

Strength

• Usage – Probably exactly what you want for his role as designated marksman
• True Shooting % – Excellent
• Assist %  / A/TO – A designated catch & shoot guy is not expected to pass much, but when he does, he’s very good at getting it to the right guy.

Weakness

• No surprise, overall Paul is not a strong defender
• Block % – He ranks in the 59^th percentile, but if you compare only to other guards he ranks very well, the 83^rd percentile.

Strength

• Three-point percentage – obviously

Weakness

• Doesn’t take a lot of shots inside the arc, and doesn’t pick up shooting fouls

Patrick Stacy

“Only player in history to make that volume of 3’s [last season] with that accuracy”

Coach Gainey

“Paul is coachable, I’m excited about the things he is doing with the ball, excited about the things he is doing on defense, he’s taken his leadership role very seriously. “

Expectations – Wolfpack nation LOVES Paul. He’s come back twice, and we’re told he turned down a big offer to move to Baton Rouge. But even the biggest fans (including me), have always had a few concerns:

Concern: Size – Paul has always been skinny, and we all wondered how that impacted the fact that he doesn’t often successfully drive to the basket. In pictures from the offseason workouts, Paul’s recently added muscle definition is very impressive.

Concern: One-dimensional offense – As noted above, Paul seldom takes it to the rim. Obviously, a big part of that is his role in the offense. But to be a well-rounded NBA player, he probably needs to increase the perception that he can beat you from 3PT and he’s a threat take it to the rim, as well. Last season only 23.9% of his made shots were inside the arc. But he did dunk it 4 times (4/4, 100%) and made 25 of what Torvik calls ‘Close 2PT’ shots. ( at 62.5%) A few steps further away his shooting percentage drops to 24.2%. Coach Gainey’s comments (above) on what he is doing with the ball, are encouraging.

Concern: Defense – (You can’t be a ‘3 & D guy’ if you can’t ‘D’ – Confucius) Last season he ranked 10^th on the Wolfpack in DPBM (Defensive box plus/minus) at -0.1. That means the opponent’s offense does better when he is ON the court than off. He beat out only teammates Jerry Deng, Jordan Snell, and Colt Langdon in that metric. Not good company, Robert.

I believe this will be Paul’s best season, but I don’t see him breaking his 3PT record. With the Wolfpack having 3 or 4 very good (38% +) 3PT shooters on the court at all times, the team might set a 3PT record as a whole, but the made shots should be distributed across more players. The floor spacing this team will cause should allow Paul, Hammond and Adams room to attack the rim. Defensively, I believe in Coach Gainey. He’s talked about Paul’s “coachability”. I believe Paul’s improvement on defense, as well as the entire team’s, will be the single most significant improvement by the Wolfpack this season positively reflecting on this season’s coaching staff versus the previous. However, there’s a caveat. It will not be immediate. Hopefully we’ll see the individual defensive effort there out of the gate, but it’s going to take time to become a really good defensive team.

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