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 might convey two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to L.A.
“However what they’ve actually executed 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 feel it is a actual factor, I feel the Bucks are petrified of it.”
Solely Ivica Zubac is beneath contract for the 2027–28 season, leaving the Clippers with near-max cap flexibility. Simmons believes that was no accident.
“However I feel in case you’re the Clippers, and brief time period, you may compete with a puncher’s probability for a title, however long run, you have got $20 million on the books for 2027,” he mentioned. “This can be a staff that spends each attainable asset, greenback, to impress the those that play for it, and I feel 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, “Everyone 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 tremendous in Milwaukee, and the staff goes to be fairly good,” Simmons mentioned. “They’d a very good offseason when you think about that the second-best participant on the staff was going to overlook all the season…They’ve added collectively a staff that, in a weak convention, with one of the best participant within the convention, a minimum of is now within the recreation.”
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