Mar 7, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; LA Clippers coach Tyronn Lue at a press conference at the Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

'It Just Makes More Sense' – Los Angeles Clippers Coach Drops Hint on the Team’s Fifth Starter Ahead of 2025-26 Season

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Oct 15, 2025 8:32 AM ET

The Los Angeles Clippers are expected to have a starting lineup of Kawhi Leonard , James Harden, Bradley Beal, and Ivica Zubac this season, and one more spot is essentially up for grabs.

Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints recently asked Tyronn Lue who could be the fifth starter, and the Los Angeles Clippers head coach hinted that it could be Derrick Jones Jr.

“I really haven’t looked at the numbers, but it’s moreso about fit. I think having (Derrick Jones Jr.) on the floor or (Kris Dunn) on the floor at all times to guard that point-of-attack guard, I think, is very important for us,” Lue explained.

Mar 16, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) looks to rebound against LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) during the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

“And then Bradley (Beal) and Kawhi (Leonard) being able to guard the second and third-best guys. I think it takes some pressure off them. We can’t have them trying to chase around Stephen (Curry) or De’Aaron (Fox) or none of those guys. So it just makes more sense,” he added.

Los Angeles Clippers News: Analyst makes a strong case for John Collins to soak up major minutes

The Los Angeles Clippers beefed up their frontcourt depth with the acquisition of John Collins, and ESPN analyst Tim Legler believes that it was one of this summer’s most under-the-radar moves.

Mar 10, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Utah Jazz forward John Collins (20) has words with referee JT Orr during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

“It gives the Los Angeles Clippers a totally different level of offensive player to go with their second unit. He might start. Ty Lue said they don’t yet know what their starting lineup is going to be. He may be a starter, or he may not. Either way, he’s going to play 25 minutes if he’s off the bench,” Legler stated on the All NBA Podcast.

“They just quietly went out there and acquired a dude who, I think, for his career, is like 16 or 17 points a game without even playing a lot of minutes. He scores easily, and he looks like it’s a breath of fresh air,” he added. “John Collins is another guy who I look at and go, ‘Man, what a nice pickup.”