Clippers receive another major blow after brutal Brandon Ingram update

The Los Angeles Clippers have already suffered a lot this offseason, but it seems like the basketball gods are not yet finished toying with them. 

Brandon Ingram, whom the team acquired in the Kawhi Leonard blockbuster deal, will reportedly miss the start of the season as he recovers from a a surgery he went through that sought to fix his right heel injury and partially torn Achilles tendon.

For now, the Clippers have not given any concrete timeline for Ingram's return to play. Anyhow, this is an early dagger to the Clippers' campaign, one wherein they are eyeing to mount a competitive bid given that they are no longer incentivized to bottom out. 

Clippers receive grim news with latest Brandon Ingram injury update

Ingram was the centerpiece of the return package the Clippers got for Leonard. A two-time All-Star, he was poised to take the mantle as the lead option for L.A. this coming season, but it appears that fans will have to wait for a while before he makes his debut with the team.

Apparently, the Clippers only got to evaluate how far long the 10-year veteran was in his recovery when he got traded away from Toronto, which makes it understandable that this update only came about after the trade. 

For now, newcomers Rui Hachimura and Max Strus, as well as key holdovers in Derrick Jones Jr. and Kobe Sanders, will hold down the fort for Ingram as he makes his recovery. The Clippers have no reason to rush his return, so they are definitely going to take their sweet time before allowing Ingram to get back to the hardwood.

That being said, people should probably expect the Clippers to struggle to start the season. Ty Lue may still be able to work his magic with his ragtag squad, but without arguably their best players, wins will be harder to come by.