In order to completely understand the moves a team makes the timeline of events must be listed as well.
Pre Draft
Paul George forces a trade by threatening to opt out of his contract and walking for nothing if not traded. The Clippers agree to trade George but convinces him that they can't complete the deal until post draft so he opts in.
Westbrook opts out of his contract
James Harden agrees to a 4 year extension worth 140 million with no options.
Draft
Pick 46 the Clippers select Pelle Larsson
Free Agency
Trading Paul George to the Magic in a 8 player deal. Normal Powell is also dealt in the deal to the Bucks. In return the Clippers get Zach Lavine, Wendell Carter, Cole Anthony and draft capital.
As a 2nd apron team the Clippers have no mid level exception but have early bird rights to resign Mason Plumlee to a 3 year 20 million dollar deal.
Jae Crowder signs a 1 year minimum contract.
Even Fournier signs a 1 year minimum contract.
Pelle Larsson signs a 2 year 2.5 million dollar contract with the 2nd year being non guaranteed.
The Clippers end up 21 million over the 2nd apron committing to be a contender for the foreseeable future. With the extension of Ty Lue and Kawhi Leonard Balmer is ready to keep pushing for that first Clippers championship.
Start of Season
Starting lineup:
Harden
Lavine
Leonard
Carter Jr
Zubac
The bench is much different than previous years with Cole Anthony and Terrance Mann being great fill in players to work with the starters. Coffey and Fournier both bring strong shooting and Plumlee brings a solid backup big. Bones, Larsson, and Kobe Brown all start the year with the team but Larsson does spend time in the g-league.
During the season
The Clippers start the year 500 after 16 games but Lue figures out the rotations. Mann and Coffey come in early, around the 7 minute mark, for Lavine and Carter Jr making the 7 man rotation very productive. Cole Anthony and Plumlee round out the 9 man rotation with Fournier getting time occasionally. They end up a top 10 offense and top 15 defense with Leonard playing 68 games, Lavine playing 71, and Harden playing 66. The trio play a total of 55 games together though building good chemistry.