Name, position, height, weight, school/country, age
MO BAMBA, C, 7-0, 231, Texas, 26
Bamba was brought in as a reliable backup for center Ivica Zubac after Mason Plumlee and Daniel Theis signed elsewhere. But the big man has not played because of knee soreness, putting his availability for opening night in question. Bamba signed with the Clippers as a free agent after being let go by the Philadelphia 76ers. He averaged 4.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots in 57 games with the 76ers.
NICOLAS BATUM, F, 6-8, 230, France, 35
Batum, who headed east as part of the trade that brought James Harden to L.A., returns to the Clippers after one season with the 76ers, where he hopes to end his NBA career. In his previous three-plus seasons with the Clippers, Batum exceled on both ends of the court, able to protect the rim and guard on the perimeter as well as average 6.3 points and 3.7 rebounds. He averaged a career-high 1.7 blocked shots in his final three games with the team.
KOBE BROWN G, 6-7, 250, Missouri, 24
Brown bounced between the G League team in Ontario and the Clippers during his rookie season, but he could see significant minutes off the bench this season with the NBA club. He appeared in 44 games for the Clippers last season, averaging 2.0 points, 1.4 rebounds in 9.0 minutes per game. With the Ontario team, Brown averaged 19.2 points on 50.0% shooting, 6.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 18 games.
CAM CHRISTIE, G, 6-6, 190, Minnesota, 19
The Clippers used their second-round draft pick on Christie, whose brother plays for the Lakers. He came in with a reputation as an elite 3-point shooter with solid footwork, but he isn’t expected to see much playing time during his rookie season. With an older roster, Christie, the youngest Clipper, is viewed as the future and will be given time to develop his skills as a playmaker and finisher.
AMIR COFFEY, G/F, 6-7, 210, Minnesota, 27
Coffey could see his minutes dip with the acquisition of Kevin Porter Jr. and the emergence of Jordan Miller, but he will continue to be an important piece with the second and third units. He will be counted on to improve the defense.
KRIS DUNN, G, 6-3, 205, Providence, 30
Dunn gives the Clippers a reliable backup at the point guard position behind Harden, someone who can get under an opponent’s skin. He averaged 1.4 steals and will be looking to contribute on both ends of the court. The former No. 5 draft pick came to the Clippers in a sign-and-trade agreement for Russell Westbrook this summer.
*TRENTYN FLOWERS, F, 6-9, 185, 19
An undrafted prospect who played with the Adelie 36ers, Flowers signed a two-way deal with the Clippers and will spend considerable time in the G League. He came into training camp recovering from left wrist surgery and his return is unknown. His combination of explosiveness and footwork, given time to develop, would make him a top-tier wing in the NBA.
JAMES HARDEN, G, 6-5, 220, Arizona State, 35
Harden’s workload should increase dramatically with the departure of All-Star wing Paul George and the delayed return of Kawhi Leonard. But the 10-time All-Star, who has assumed a leadership role, says he is ready for the challenge of playing with nine new teammates. “We’re going to figure it out. … (and) it’s definitely going to involve a lot of me,” he said. Harden will benefit from going through an entire training camp with the Clippers. After a slow start last season, the future Hall of Famer finished the year averaging 16.6 points and 8.5 assists while shooting 38.1% from 3-point range.
BONES HYLAND, G, 6-2, 169, VCU, 24
Hyland will be looking to prove his worth on a team that has a lot of guards while hoping to steer clear of trade rumors. He will be challenged to find minutes in a backcourt that also has Kris Dunn and Kevin Porter Jr. as well as James Harden, Norman Powell and Terance Mann. Hyland saw action in 37 games last season, averaging 6.9 points and 2.5 assists.
*KAI JONES, F, 6-11, 221, Texas, 23
Jones joined the Clippers late last season but didn’t see any action. This season, the former No. 19 overall pick has been impressive in five preseason games as an adequate, if not formidable, backup at center, averaging 8.0 points (many coming off dunks), 5.0 rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots. His early play impressed the Clippers enough to earn a two-way contract. Coach Tyronn Lue said Jones has “been getting better in every practice and every game.”
DERRICK JONES JR., F, 6-6, 210, UNLV, 27
Jones has perhaps the biggest assignment on the team and that’s taking over Paul George’s starting role. A tenacious defender, he also can cut to the basket and shoot from outside. He was instrumental in the Dallas Mavericks’ run to the NBA Finals last season, averaging a career-high 8.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 76 games. The Clippers believe Jones can change a game with his length and activity.
KAWHI LEONARD, F, 6-7, 225, San Diego State, 33
Leonard will be in street clothes for an indefinite time, having not yet been cleared for practices or any team drills. The news, confirmed six days before the regular season began, isn’t altogether surprising but it is concerning for the Clippers’ playoff hopes. Last season, Leonard was healthy and averaged 23.7 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 52%, but missed the final eight regular-season games and saw limited action in the playoffs when his knee swelled up. He has been dealing with the knee all summer, costing him a spot on the Olympic team.
TERANCE MANN, F/G, 6-5, 215, Florida State, 24
With a three-year, $47 million contract extension in hand, Mann needs to step up more this season, especially with Leonard on the bench for the foreseeable future. Last season, Mann played the supporting role to the Clippers’ big three – Paul George, James Harden and Leonard and averaged 8.8 points on 51% shooting. With George gone and Leonard not ready to play, Mann will have a chance to show the Clippers how much more he can do with more freedom.
*JORDAN MILLER, G, 6-5, 194, Miami, 24
Miller is looking for a breakthrough season, one that will cement his place on the team. The second-year guard got a jump on his goals with strong performances in the G League and the Las Vegas Summer League – finishing second in the MVP voting after averaging 25.4 points on 54.9% shooting, including 60% from behind the arc. Now, he’s hoping that his play will translate to the NBA level. In five preseason games, he averaged 11.4 points and afterward, Tyronn Lue called him “a perfect scorer.”
KEVIN PORTER JR., G, 6-4, 203, USC, 24
If Porter Jr. can avoid a league suspension and stay clear of trouble, the lanky guard could be a key contributor for the Clippers. He possesses a strong isolation game, complemented by an athleticism that makes him an effective scorer from outside and at the rim. Porter scored 18 points in 19 minutes in the Clippers’ preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks last week. His future, however, rests with the NBA, which could suspend him after it completes its investigation of a domestic violence incident in 2023.
NORMAN POWELL, G, 6-4, 215, UCLA, 31
Powell has long voiced his desire to become the starting shooting guard, a role he enjoyed with the Portland Trail Blazers and Toronto Raptors. He seemingly got his wish and will begin the season as a starter. Last season, he averaged 13.9 points, including shooting 43.5% from 3-point range, off the bench. Powell believes he can do more. “I’m ready for the opportunity,” he said.
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P.J. TUCKER, F, 6-5, 245, Texas, 39
Earlier this month, the Clippers announced that Tucker would be away from the team indefinitely as both sides worked toward a resolution for his future but without any definite movement the 13-year veteran is expected to be on the opening night roster. Tucker became disgruntled last season over his lack of playing time and started this season in a similar fashion, sitting on the bench during the team’s first preseason game.
IVICA ZUBAC, C, 7-0, 240, Croatia, 27
Zubac is one of the longest tenured Clipper (along with Terance Mann) and after signing a three-year, $58.6 million contract extension, he is slated to be the team’s starting center for the long term. Zubac, known for his rebounding efforts (9.2 boards a game last season) has improved defensively, a big man who can bother opponents with his size and length, increasing his value to the team. Offensively, he and James Harden will be counted to connect on pick and roll plays
* = two-way contract player