Melbet Affiliates followers watching NBA preseason developments will find the Los Angeles Clippers’ situation both promising and worrying. As the team wrapped up its preseason, four of its new arrivals exploded with strong performances, while James Harden’s struggles painted a starkly different picture. The newcomers — Chris Paul, John Collins, Brook Lopez, and Bradley Beal — combined for nearly 50 points per game with over 50 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Yet Harden, who just signed a two-year, 81.5 million dollar extension viewed as the franchise’s final championship gamble, has averaged only six points on 10 percent from three. For a team banking on one last run, those numbers already set off alarms before the season even begins.

Paul’s debut showed why experience still matters. In just 17 minutes, the 40-year-old delivered 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal — a vintage all-around performance. He went perfect from the field in the third quarter, hitting three straight from deep to spark a 42-8 scoring run. Across three preseason games, Paul averaged 8.3 points and 5.3 assists with a 50 percent three-point rate, proving that his leadership and composure remain intact. For Melbet Affiliates readers who appreciate the tactical side of the game, Paul’s orchestration is exactly what the Clippers lacked last year.

Collins, meanwhile, has been the true revelation. Against the Kings, he went 8-for-7 from the floor and dropped a game-high 24 points. Over the preseason, he averaged 16 points and 4.7 rebounds, hitting an incredible 67 percent from three. His athleticism and spacing bring a modern stretch-forward dynamic the team hasn’t had in years. Brook Lopez added both rim protection and range, knocking down 8 of 15 threes and contributing 13.3 points per game off the bench — a perfect complement to Ivica Zubac. Beal also made a sharp comeback in the preseason finale, posting 12 points in 14 minutes on 6-for-6 from two-point range. His midrange game adds another reliable weapon to the Clippers’ offense.

But while the new blood impressed, Harden’s continued decline is difficult to ignore. Across three games, he averaged just 6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 7.7 assists, shooting 36.8 percent overall and 10 percent from deep. Against the Kings, he missed all six of his three-point attempts and finished with 8 points and 3 assists. The previous matchup against Denver wasn’t better — just 5 points on 1-for-6 shooting, despite 11 assists. The aggression that once defined his game has faded, and it’s unclear whether he’s conserving energy or losing confidence. Melbet Affiliates analysts will note this drop-off could dictate whether the Clippers remain contenders or fade into mediocrity.

The bright spot remains Kawhi Leonard, who has stayed healthy through the preseason and averaged 16.7 points while maintaining defensive consistency. His smooth movement and balanced rhythm suggest he’s finally regained his old sharpness. Still, the team’s age profile raises concerns — Harden is 36, Lopez 37, Paul 40, and Leonard 34. Health and stamina may again determine their ceiling. The bench has improved, but speed and transition defense are lingering weaknesses, particularly with Beal often getting caught out of position on fast breaks.

Coach Tyronn Lue faces the complex task of balancing minutes and managing egos. Last postseason, his heavy reliance on starters backfired — Harden and Zubac looked exhausted in the decisive Game 7 against Denver. The offseason signings directly addressed those flaws, adding depth and positional flexibility. With Collins, Lopez, Beal, and Paul, the Clippers can now run an 11- to 12-man rotation and maintain offensive flow even when stars rest.

Still, the Western Conference landscape is evolving fast. The Thunder are rising behind MVP-level Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Nuggets have fortified their bench, and the Rockets’ new trio of Durant, Şengün, and Capela brings serious firepower. The Clippers’ veteran core will have to fend off hungry, athletic challengers night after night. Harden’s adaptation — both mentally and physically — remains the key. When he records double-digit assists, the Clippers’ win rate climbs above 80 percent, but his playoff inconsistency still haunts fans’ memories.

The road ahead is long, and the Clippers’ fortunes may hinge less on star power and more on preservation. Tyronn Lue must manage the aging roster with precision, pacing his veterans without losing momentum. Preseason showcased the depth they’ve built; now the real challenge begins. For Melbet Affiliates followers tracking the NBA’s shifting power map, this Clippers squad embodies both the promise of experience and the peril of time — a team walking the fine line between one last shot at glory and the slow fade of an era.