Sir Charles in Charge
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LA Clippers: Dark Days Lie Ahead For The Franchise

By Tomas Kassahun

Jan 21, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) dribbles the ball up court in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 123-98. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) dribbles the ball up court in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 123-98. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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With three key players set to hit free agency this summer, the end of an era could be ahead for the once-cursed LA Clippers

Remember when the LA Clippers were the laughing stock of American sports? Remember the days of Darius Miles and Michael Olowokandi?

I hate to break it to you, Clippers’ fans. But it looks like those dark days are coming back.

Although it may be difficult for you Clipper faithful to admit it, the reality is that the Clippers are running out of chances.

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The recent significant injuries (over the past couple seasons) to Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, coupled with the team’s latest struggles, indicates that the glorious run of the past six years may be going down hill from here.

Sure, the LA Clippers will comfortably secure a playoff spot in 2017, but there will be nowhere else to go after that.

Even if this team gets a favorable matchup and sneaks past the first round, the journey will likely end in the second round.

At that point, the Clippers will have plenty of questions to answer. For one thing, do they bring back Chris Paul when he becomes a free agent this summer? Is he worth the money some other teams would be willing to pay for him?

What can ultimately convince a veteran point guard to stay with a team that has failed to win a title for the past six years?

If Paul does wear a different uniform next year, it could take a while for the Clippers to replace a player of his caliber. Even if Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan remain with the Clippers next year, it’s clear that those players are not the same without Paul setting them up.

In addition to Paul, Griffin and J.J. Redick will also be free agents this summer. Redick will most likely become a coveted free agent around the league, but Griffin’s history of injuries could scare some teams.  

In any case, we can’t expect the Clippers to return with the current roster next year and expect a championship. Yes, they can add some solid role players, but this aging group may not have enough to keep up with the Warriors and the Spurs in the next couple of years.

At this point, this franchise may be better off if the rebuilding process started as soon as possible.

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The idea of rebuilding may bring back haunting memories for LA Clippers’ fans, but this is the reality they have to live with.