CBS Sports puts Clippers atop West offseason report card
Sam Quinn’s Western Conference grades praise the Clippers’ reset while flagging unresolved LeBron, Kawhi and restricted free agency business.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
The Los Angeles Clippers have the best early offseason grade in the Western Conference, at least in CBS Sports writer Sam Quinn’s latest report card.
Quinn gave the Clippers an A-minus, the highest mark listed, while stressing that the grade rests on one very large condition: a Kawhi Leonard trade still has to survive what he described as the Aspiration Investigation.
If that deal goes through, Quinn wrote, the Clippers will have turned Leonard, now 35 and carrying injury concerns, into two unprotected first-round picks in the 2030s plus a 2027 first-round swap. He also pointed to the team’s broader reset through moves involving Leonard, Ivica Zubac and James Harden, describing Los Angeles as younger, more flexible and richer in future assets.
The Clippers also drew praise for adding Rui Hachimura on a deal below his previous Lakers salary, with a team option in the second season, and for signing Kobe Sanders to a four-year minimum-style contract with two non-guaranteed years at the back end.
Jazz, Wolves and Spurs land strong marks
Utah came next with a B-plus. Quinn wrote that the Jazz used a Lakers offer of two first-round picks and two first-round swaps to address a roster crunch involving Darryn Peterson, Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Walker Kessler.
The Jazz still have a center question for later, according to Quinn, but he said Jusuf Nurkić and Jaxson Hayes can cover minutes for now, with Jackson likely to close games at center.
Minnesota received a B after adding LaMelo Ball. Quinn called himself optimistic on the fit, writing that the Timberwolves needed more playmaking around Anthony Edwards and that Ball needed a stronger defensive setup and a top on-ball scorer beside him.
San Antonio also earned a B. Quinn singled out Jayden Quaintance as an ideal draft swing for the Spurs, despite injury concerns, because their draft stockpile gives them room to take the risk. Tobias Harris’ short-term addition and Julian Champagnie’s extension also received positive notes.
Middle of the pack gets crowded
Memphis earned a B-minus after trading Ja Morant without attaching a draft pick or taking back longer contracts, according to Quinn. He also liked additions such as Isaiah Stewart and Quinten Post around Cameron Boozer and Zach Edey.
Houston received a C-plus. Quinn liked Marcus Smart’s two-year, $12.4 million contract and Tari Eason’s deal, but questioned whether Smart overlaps too much with the Rockets’ existing defensive identity.
Golden State also landed at C-plus, with Quinn crediting the Warriors for restraint while they remain linked to LeBron James. He noted favorable deals for Kristaps Porziņģis, De’Anthony Melton and Al Horford.
Dallas got a C-plus as Quinn assessed Masai Ujiri’s first Mavericks moves, including Morez Johnson at No. 9, Santi Aldama in a trade and Zaccharie Risacher from Atlanta.
Oklahoma City drew a C after cutting salary from a roster that Quinn said began the offseason around $40 million over the second apron. He wrote that the Thunder sacrificed depth by moving players who had become replaceable, while still banking on internal answers against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.
Denver and the Lakers each received C-minus grades. Quinn said Denver’s final judgment depends heavily on Peyton Watson’s restricted free agency and noted that Nikola Jokić has not extended yet. For the Lakers, he wrote that landing Walker Kessler filled the center need but consumed resources that were also needed to build a title-level wing rotation.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.