The LA Clippers are not operating like a franchise that plans on keeping Brook Lopez's remaining one year and $9.1 million salary over the next year. Not after trading for Johni Broome from the Philadelphia 76ers this past week and drafting the rights to Auburn Tigers center Narcisse Ngoy in the 2026 NBA draft's second round this past June.
Lopez's contract is attractive in the modern NBA. With the salary cap exploding, but the second tax apron scaring front offices from spending too much, productive true pivots like Lopez typically get paid double what he's making.
LA clearly doesn't need Lopez anymore, though. Not in an on-court sense, to be clear. Lopez is an elite shooting big man who shot 36% from the field on almost two three-point attempts per game last season. The Clippers are entering a rebuild, though, as evidenced by agreeing to a Kawhi Leonard trade with the Toronto Raptors that is still pending finalization. Once the rebuild starts, guys like Lopez typically get moved for value. Lopez is a great trade asset, and youth has replaced him.
Not just with potentially Broome this season and Ngoy next, either. Yanic Konan Niederhäuser appeared in 41 games, and Isaiah Jackson still has two years left on his deal. Jamarion Sharp signed a two-way deal with LA and could play his way into their plans, too.
The writing is on the wall for Lopez to be traded. What would that actually mean for Broome and Ngoy, though?
Johni Broome needs to earn his spot on the Clippers this season
Broome isn't a long-term piece in Tinseltown. Not yet, though he may never be.
Broome was disappointing in Philly during the 2025-26 season, averaging 0.9 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game on 6/30 shooting overall in 11 appearances. Though he played well during the Summer League, averaging 14.7 points, nine rebounds, and a block per game across his three appearances, a future pick was used by the Sixers to offload him.
Broome is, by all means, on borrowed time with his new team. He was only acquired because of an incentive, but his presence is more justification for the front office to offload Lopez sometime before the start of the 2026-27 season, for maximum value's sake.
Narcisse Ngoy is more of a factor for the Clippers than Johni Broome
Ngoy is the true wildcard here. As a draft-and-stash prospect, Ngoy is clearly valued by the Clippers' front office to have been taken a year in advance.
Ngoy could prove them right over the next year on the Plains. Thus far, his size and athleticism have been apparent in Steven Pearl's practices. It's clear what the Tigers were missing last year that Ngoy now gives them.
Ngoy passes the eye test. His measurables are undeniable. If there's a player from the Auburn family who is going to alter LA's front office plans, it's Ngoy.
Ngoy's future arrival makes not re-signing Lopez next summer an easier pill to swallow. If Broome could shine in his new NBA home, perhaps the Clippers will cut the cord with Lopez sooner rather than later by trade.
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