“This is a business and the reality of the new CBA impacts teams like us”. During the discussion with Adrian Wojnarowski, Lawrence Frank did not shy away from admitting the reasons that ultimately led to Paul George’s trade from the LA Clippers. As the LA Clippers’ President of basketball operations, he knew that the team could not afford the 4-year, $221 million contract that the player was seeking. After all, the amount they had invested in salaries had already put them above the luxury tax and aprons, causing them to incur severe fines. Now, as one of the team’s highest-paid players is set to return to the court, the team management potentially looks to ease their financial predicament by a bit more.

NBA reporter Eric Pincus recently highlighted that the LA Clippers are looking to make moves to reduce expenditure on salaries. Set to be done before the upcoming February Trade Deadline, the moves will help the team’s salary cap to fall below the luxury-tax threshold, which is currently placed at $170.8 million. Handing out more information, Pincus highlighted that the New Orleans Pelicans and Cleveland Cavaliers may also engage in the same action.

The report comes just as Kawhi Leonard’s injury status keeps improving day by day. Despite being the small forward for the LA Clippers, the 33-year-old has not played even a single game this season. This is due to the issue with his right knee inflammation. It has continued to trouble the player since the previous season. In fact, the issue with his knee is what caused him to be pulled from the Team USA squad that eventually secured the Gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Recently, however, Leonard traveled with the team for the first time this season and even participated in practice. These improvements indicate that with the arrival of the new year, Kawhi Leonard might once again become a common face during LA Clippers games.

Anyone familiar with the recently updated CBA Guidelines would also be aware of the luxury tax and apron limits. According to the terms, any team that spends $17.5 million over the established luxury-tax line can incur penalties. They include losing access to the taxpayer mid-level exception, and limits on not taking more than 110% of the salary sent out in trades. On top of that, teams cannot reportedly trade a first-round pick up to 7 years away. Furthermore, they cannot provide aggregate (combined sum) salaries during trades. On top of that, they cannot welcome new players into their fold if they sign and trade away their respective free agents.

As highlighted by Spotrac, the total cap allocations for the LA Clippers currently stand at $177.5 million. The luxury tax limit, once again, is $170.8 million. Therefore, if the franchise wishes to leave enough cap space to acquire/trade players during the next offseason, they may have to make some changes currently. Kawhi Leonard’s potential return could open up the list of a few candidates.

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One thing that has been made clear with Kawhi Leonard’s injury concerns. It is that the LA Clippers need to keep good backup forwards with them. Therefore, Norman Powell may be out of trade consideration for a bit. However, Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale highlighted a month ago that the Boston Celtics could acquire Amir Coffey. In exchange, the Clippers could get Jaden Springer and a 2025 second-round pick in exchange for Coffey. This move would help to provide some financial ease. After all, Springer’s $2.598 million average salary is less than Coffey’s $3.667 million.

Fadeaway world’s Eddie Bitar also included Amir Coffey in a multi-player trade with the Chicago Bulls. The same would see LaMelo Ball going to the LA Clippers. In exchange, the Bulls would receive Norman Powell, Bones Hyland, Terance Mann, Kevin Porter Jr, and a 2031 First-Round Pick. Too much to give up for one player? Well, together, the four players cost the LA Clippers an average of $38.75 million per season. That number would come close to compensating for LaMelo Ball’s $40.77 million salary, as highlighted by Spotrac. This would allow a key player to be a part of the Clippers franchise. Furthermore, a very less extra amount would be spent on the trade.

In the end, selecting a player to trade is a complex issue. Therefore, the team won’t reveal whatever decisions they come up with until the February deadline starts to loom closer.