How to evaluate the performance of the Clippers in 2024-25? Judging from the recent series of actions by the Clippers management, Ballmer is generally satisfied - actively and aggressively strengthening, so there is this heavy three-party transaction.

Although the Clippers were eliminated in the first round, they encountered a special type of opponent: the Nuggets and the Clippers both had 50 wins and 32 losses, and the 2023 championship team is still in the foundation. The quality of this round of series is far beyond the conventional first round, and it is at least at the level of the semi-finals and even the division finals.

The Clippers were eliminated in tiebreak, which is actually a bit similar to the 56-win Clippers in 2015, losing to the 56-win Clippers (Paul's final shot). Obviously, we cannot simply judge heroes by success or failure. We cannot conclude that the Clippers are "just a first-round team" just because they are eliminated in the first round. The substantive problem reflected in the series is that the 25 Clippers' lineup structure has obvious shortcomings.

I believe everyone has noticed that the growing Zubac can even play one-on-one defense teacher in the series, but the scene of No. 4 Kazige, Batum, and Jones being dominated by Aaron Gordon at the low post is too bloody, and Aaron Gordon can be said to be a "little friend at a time".

In short, the Nuggets used the pick-and-roll of the 4/5 position to destroy the Clippers' defense line. Gordon and the Joe teacher couldn't chisel Zubac at all. The two brothers chased the Clippers' No. 4 position to hammer. Whether the Clippers were hit was like two bottles of poison. G7 was shot through by the Nuggets puzzle players.

does not have a real No. 4 position, which has been a flaw for the Clippers in recent years. After getting the three-party transaction, Collins finally had a full-size forward line. From a strategic perspective, the Clippers completed a wave of targeted reinforcements.

The Clippers reluctantly sent Powell out, emotionally reluctant, but reason forced the management to do so.

On the one hand, Powell has 20.5 million in the last year, and the contracts that the Clippers can give must be consistent with the length of the contract.

Karzi's last year's contract was $50.3 million in the 2026-27 season, which means that the Clippers can at most offer Powell another one year contract extension. Powell is eligible to renew 3 years and $80.6 million in advance. Including the 20.5 million contract for the previous and next season, he can actually have a contract of up to $101 million for four years. The Clippers are obviously planning for the long term, and the interests of both sides are not consistent.

On the other hand, Powell is the second scorer in the team in the 2024-25 season of the Clippers. Especially in the absence of Carnival, Powell + Harden + Zubac formed the three-pronged approach of the Clippers, and Powell played an important role in the weak side firepower point.

But with Carnival's comeback, the Clippers have a guaranteed output method and a method of digesting ball rights with higher lower limits, and Powell no longer needs to be swung. Powell's stability in the playoffs was not ideal. In the first two away games of the series, Powell scored 12 points and 13 points in 14 respectively. In other words, Powell played normally, and the Clippers could even return to home 2-0 instead of 1-1.

When the Clippers' starting offensive resources overflow, Powell, who has strong offense and weak defense, can easily find a replacement in the No. 2 position. When the Clippers have the opportunity to replace Powell with the scarce space-type No. 4 Corinth, this is an opportunity for the Clippers, who have been poor and weak in the No. 4 position for many years.

Colins also has an expiration contract, and the cost of trial and error of the Clippers is almost zero, retaining the flexibility of salary space, and it takes a year to see the efficacy, making sure to make a profit and not lose money.

The Clippers are more powerful with Collins. His size, space attributes and cake-eating ability are very suitable for Harden and Cz.

Collins is 206 cm tall, and he feels more secure than Carziger and Jones playing the 4th position in terms of body shape. When he encounters 4th position like Aaron Gordon, he also has options to deal with.

Collins, produced by the Hawks, partnered with Trae Young in his early years. He did not have the right to the ball, could go down and bounce outside after cover, and had excellent athletic ability. He could regard him as a "Little Jones with better projection" - Harden + Collins' pick-and-roll connection, and he could basically book the best five goals.

The Clippers' defensive team represented by Dunn and Jones were generally strategically shorted, while Collins averaged 39.9% of three-point shooting percentage and 36.3% of three-point shooting percentage in his game last season. The ability to create space and set point threats are all the urgent needs of the Clippers system.

Collins also has the ability to switch defenses. The Clippers are third in the league in defensive efficiency this season. They have added another strong player to the front line group, and their offensive and defensive strength is also a visible improvement.

Can dunk, switch defense, and make fixed three-pointers. Collins' comprehensive skills determine the adaptability of him and the Clippers system.

The Clippers still have the possibility of pursuing Bills. The four major starters, Zubac, Kazig, Harden and Collins, can already make trouble in the West.

The current nine-man rotation of the Clippers has been confirmed: Zubac and Daluo, with Cell, Collins, Jones, Batum on the front line, Dunn, Harden, and Bogdanovic on the back line, and Powell's vacancy can be filled with the starting lineup from Dunn/Batum/Jones. Whether Bill can be obtained or not, it will not affect the overall situation.

The basic set of the Clippers is still defense, with the third place in the league in defensive efficiency last season. The main defensive talents have not been lost during the offseason. There are four major starting teams, including Zubac, Harden, Kazig and Collins. It is likely that they will still be a strong team that can win 50 wins.

The Clippers have a larger size Corinth in the 4th position, and the management has made targeted reinforcements. The Clippers have not been hurt by sending Powell away. In other words, Harden's pick-and-roll start, Zubac's penalty area offense and defense, and Kazi Ge's counterattack and entanglement are always the three most critical tricks for the Clippers to defeat the opponent in the regular season and playoffs.

The Clippers are still in the foundation, whether it is Collins or Bills, they are actually all the icing on the cake to win the championship puzzle. The Clippers' third best defense in the league in 2024-25 season will not lie. The hard power and the big base are always there. What they need most from the championship is actually health and luck!