Draymond Green Delivers Prediction on Clippers Ahead of 2026-27 NBA Season

The Los Angeles Clippers may have lost Kawhi Leonard, but Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green does not expect them to become an easy opponent next season.

Speaking on The Draymond Green Show, Green backed the Clippers to be one of the more difficult teams to face in the Western Conference during the 2026-27 NBA season. He pointed to the team’s remaining talent and the presence of head coach Tyronn Lue as major reasons why opponents should not underestimate Los Angeles.

Draymond Green Warns NBA Teams About Clippers

Green believes the Clippers could resemble the Phoenix Suns from last season—a team that was not considered a championship favourite but still made every matchup difficult.

“This is not a Clipper team that you’re just gonna come out and run over next year,” Green said on his podcast.

He specifically mentioned Rui Hachimura and Tyronn Lue while explaining why he expects Los Angeles to compete.

Green also pointed to Phoenix’s 2025-26 campaign. The Suns finished 45-37 and eighth in the Western Conference, earning a play-in spot in an extremely competitive conference.

His message to the Clippers is essentially that every opponent should expect a difficult game.

Clippers Enter New Era Without Kawhi Leonard

The Clippers’ roster has changed dramatically heading into the new season.

Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors after averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 65 games during the 2025-26 regular season. He shot 50.5% from the field and 38.7% from three-point range while earning All-NBA Second Team and All-Star honours.

Los Angeles finished 42-40 and ninth in the West last season, and the franchise subsequently began reshaping its roster around a younger group.

The Clippers acquired Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick in the Leonard trade and selected point guard Keaton Wagler fifth overall in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Brandon Ingram Could Be a Major X-Factor

One of the biggest questions surrounding the new-look Clippers is whether Brandon Ingram can regain his All-Star-level form.

Green has suggested that joining Los Angeles could give Ingram an opportunity to rediscover his best basketball. Playing alongside Darius Garland could provide him with more open looks and opportunities to attack mismatches.

The Clippers also added veteran talent around their younger players.

Rui Hachimura signed a two-year, $28 million contract, while Bradley Beal returned on a two-year, $13.2 million deal that includes a player option. Los Angeles also acquired Max Strus from Cleveland.

Tyronn Lue Could Make the Difference

For Green, the presence of Tyronn Lue is another reason to take the Clippers seriously.

Lue has extensive experience coaching championship-level teams and has previously demonstrated an ability to adapt his schemes around different types of rosters.

Green believes Lue will not simply accept a rebuilding season.

“Ty Lue is not coming out and just laying down,” Green said.

That confidence could be important for a Clippers team entering the season with relatively low expectations from many outside observers.

Clippers Still Face Major Challenges

Despite Green’s optimism, Los Angeles faces significant obstacles.

The Clippers were punished by the NBA following an investigation into salary-cap circumvention involving Leonard. The league imposed a $30 million fine, took away five future first-round picks and suspended owner Steve Ballmer for one year, among other penalties.

The loss of future draft capital makes the team’s current roster even more important.

That means players such as Ingram, Garland, Hachimura and the young prospects will have considerable pressure to perform.

Can the Clippers Surprise the West?

Green is not predicting that the Clippers will suddenly become a championship favourite.

Instead, his prediction is more measured