The Los Angeles Lakers have a clear need for athleticism and defense, and trading with the rival Clippers could solve those woes. Luka Doncic and company had their issues on full display as the Spurs bounced them from the NBA Cup. Perimeter defense is a concern, and the Clippers have the perfect two players.

Kevin O’Connor is joined by Blake Griffin to break down the impact of Wemby in the Spurs’ victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinals. Did the Spurs find the formula for stopping OKC?

Chris Paul’s return to the Clippers was short-lived, and Kawhi Leonard says he had nothing to do with how it ended. Paul signed a one-year, $3.63 million deal with Los Angeles before the season, a move that initially looked like a quiet reunion.

Kawhi Leonard finally addressed the Clippers’ decision on Chris Paul, explaining his reaction to the surprising move.

Grizzlies vs Clippers predictions and NBA picks for Monday, December 15. With Ja Morant back, Jaylen Wells & Co. will handle L.A.

December 15 brings a full NBA slate with important conference matchups and several games that could shape the scenario before the holiday stretch. Some teams arrive red hot, while others are searching for answers after recent struggles.

Those 2026 and 2027 first-rounders are more valuable to L.A. than anyone else. That includes Oklahoma City. This buys the Clippers absolute freedom for the rest of this year (and next year) to hit reset and build a more sustainable core that's not beholden to age, injuries and placeholder timelines.

The NBA season is 30 percent in the books, and the Memphis Grizzlies are still having trouble breaking into the West's top six as they remain 5.5 games behind t