Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Chris Paul and James Harden Will Unlock the Clippers’ Offense

Originally posted on The Lead | By Daniel Ramos Escalero | Last updated Aug 11, 2025 10:54 PM ET

Last season, the Los Angeles Clippers finished fifth in their conference in the regular season. They did so thanks to their defense, which was the third-best in the league. They did not fare as well on offense, however, ranking a measly fifteenth.

The team signed CP3 to cap off their successful offseason. This means that the Clippers will now have 48 minutes of elite playmaking in their rotation every night.

That translates into constant pressure on the rim and enormous offensive potential for each of the team’s big men.

An Offense Based on Rim Pressure

James Harden remains one of the NBA’s best half-court playmakers. Last season, he averaged 8.7 assists per game while running the Clippers’ offense on his own. Chris Paul may be 40 years old, but he is still top-tier in assist-to-turnover ratio and remains a master in clutch moments. He will also play less, be fresher, and make fewer mistakes.

Combining the roles of those two players creates a potent offense — an attack that will be enhanced by the incredible control that both Harden and Paul have, capable of driving and kicking, or slowing down the game when needed; they’re an engine that not only improves the team in general, but also makes it especially good for interior finishers.

Zubac’s Perfect Fit Inside

Ivica Zubac had a career year last season.

Ivica Zubac is UNDERRATED

Zubac’s 2024-25 season:

16.8 PPG (Career High)
12.6 RPG (Career High)
2.7 APG (Career High)
0.7 STL (Career High) pic.twitter.com/UeNbbKSLBT

— SleeperHoops (@Sleeper_Hoops) July 20, 2025

With CP3 and Harden, Zubac should continue to thrive as a consistent target for high and low passes. He doesn’t need to post up or create plays; he just needs to receive, block, and finish. Expect more easy shots, more second-chance points, and more offensive rebounding control. Add in the fact that Zubac is an excellent screener, and he becomes the perfect roll partner to two Hall of Fame point guards.

Collins & Lopez as Floor Stretchers

John Collins quietly shot 40% from three last season. Brook Lopez has made 130+ threes in each of the past three seasons. With both on the floor alongside a maestro like Paul or Harden, their spacing becomes a weapon.

Collins excels in the pick-and-pop but also cuts well from the perimeter. Lopez can either splash from deep or set bruising screens and dive hard. Together, they give the Clippers rare flexibility — Harden and CP3 can punish drop coverage or exploit switches, while the bigs stretch or collapse the paint at will.

DJJ Could Feast in Transition

Derrick Jones Jr. won’t get many plays drawn up for him, and that’s fine. He doesn’t need them.

What he does need is a playmaker who can find him on the move. Harden and CP3 will do that. Whether in secondary transition, on a baseline cut, or leaking out after a rebound, DJJ’s athleticism makes him an elite lob threat. His finishing has always been top-tier; he just needs consistent feeds.

Harden and Paul might be past their primes, but their seasoned leadership and court presence is going to be unrelenting for opposing defenses, forcing them to be extremely disciplined for a full 48 minutes a night.

This article first appeared on The Lead and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: