7 ways the Clippers can rebuild after their historic NBA punishment

The Los Angeles Clippers have been dealt a severe punishment by the NBA for violating cap circumvention rules involving their superstar, Kawhi Leonard. They have lost five future first-round picks, among other sanctions, which is essentially an NBA death sentence. This punishment makes it extremely difficult for the Clippers to win a championship within the next decade. However, the team still has potential star Keaton Wagler and some salary cap flexibility to work with in the coming years.

To rebuild the team around Wagler, the Clippers should consider the following strategies:

1. Be aggressive in pursuing restricted free agents: The Clippers should aim to outmaneuver other teams in the restricted free agency market by offering super-rich deals to attract top young talent. This strategy could help the Clippers build a strong core around Wagler.

2. Churn the bottom of the roster: The Clippers have a chance to find diamonds in the rough by tanking the bottom of their roster. They can try to uncover future contributors like Robert Covington, TJ McConnell, Jerami Grant, Richaun Holmes, and Christian Wood, who might have never had an opportunity on a more competitive team.

3. Acquire second-round picks: The Clippers should be aggressive in trading up for second-round picks to acquire high-potential players. While the conventional wisdom states that the second round is worthless, there are always good players available, and the Clippers could build a solid roster around Wagler with the right picks.

4. Take on bad contracts for picks: The NBA has witnessed instances where teams trade first-round picks to shed salary. The Clippers should be willing to engage in such trades, as it could provide them with much-needed cap space and draft capital to improve their team.

5. Target distressed stars: The Clippers should look for players who are on the outs with their current teams and may be available for cheap. Acquiring such stars could provide the Clippers with significant upside and help them build a competitive roster around Wagler.