125 million expires! Join the Clippers to bet on the maximum salary, American News talks about Collins, Harden wants to create miracles again

The Clippers boldly reorganized during the offseason to create a terrifying luxury lineup with the goal of directly targeting the championship. They sent away shooting guard Powell through a trade in exchange for the coveted No. 4 player Collins. Subsequently, with the help of Harden's influence, the Clippers successfully signed All-Star defender Bill. The Clippers' starting lineup is now terrifying: Harden controls the backcourt, Bill serves as the shooting guard, Leonard takes over the small forward, and Collins and center Zubac are partnered by Dafeng. Paul leads the bench, supplemented by powerful players such as Bogdanovic, Dunn, Dalow and Jones. It can be said that the Clippers' lineup depth and offensive and defensive balance have reached the top level, which can be called "armed to the teeth." For the Clippers, the 2025-26 season may be the last chance to win the championship. This trophy is of great significance to the team, not only about honor, but also can legitimate the names of many players. If Harden wins the championship, he will bring a successful end to his career and may even consider returning to the Rockets to retire. Paul may extend his career and continue to pursue his dreams and improve his status as the Clippers. The

card needs to prove that the price the Clippers paid for him - including sending away Alexander - was worth it; Bill also urgently needed to reshape his market value in the Clippers; and Collins, as a new player, needed to use his performance to fight for a big contract for himself. Clippers media "CLIPPERHOLICS" recently published an article, deeply analyzing the team's lineup and player prospects, pointing out that next season will be a critical moment for the Clippers to prove themselves. "CLIPPERHOLICS" specifically mentioned that Collins will become the focus of the new season. His five-year, $125 million contract will expire in 2026, meaning he is in a contract year and full of motivation.

Colins was highly expected during the Hawks and was regarded as a key part of the team's imitation of the Warriors system - Trae Young played the role of Curry, while Collins was expected to become a fourth-position shooter similar to Klay Thompson. However, he failed to fully realize his potential at the Eagles and eventually renewed his contract with an average annual average of $25 million. Now, he has reached a turning point in his career as a member of the Clippers. US media and Clippers reporters generally believe that Collins may usher in an outbreak in the new environment, especially around top organizers like Harden. Harden's passing ability has long been proven to be the top in the league.

In the past two seasons, he has successfully "activated" Zubac, doubled the center, nicknamed "butter hand", and significantly improved his average score and rebounds per game. Zubac did not ask for a maximum salary because of this, but chose to renew the contract with the Clippers at a low price. It is extremely cost-effective and has now become the top ten inside players in the league.

Harden's transformation of Zubac is regarded as a miracle, and Collins's style of play seems to be more suitable for Harden's system. Collins is competent for the No. 5 position of the small ball, has excellent space-opening ability and outside shooting, and averaged 19 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2 assists per game last season, with a shooting percentage of 52.7% and a three-point shooting percentage of up to 40%. More importantly, the Clippers also introduced Paul, and the "light bulb combination" of Harden and Paul will provide Collins with a continuous stream of high-quality passes.

Clippers reporters specifically mentioned Powell's case when analyzing Collins. Powell scored a career high last season under Harden's feeding cake, becoming an efficient scoring point. Today, Collins is believed to be expected to replicate this trajectory.

If he can play an All-Star performance with the assists of Harden and Paul, the Clippers management will face a dilemma. If Collins makes a fortune, will the Clippers choose to send him away before the trade deadline for chips, or will they let him leave as a free agent in the offseason? If the Clippers choose to renew him, it could conflict with the team's plan to free up cap space in 2027.

"CLIPPERHOLICS" analyzed: "If Collins showed an All-Star output similar to Powell in early 2026, how should the Clippers make a decision? Trading him may lead to turmoil in the mid-season lineup, and letting him go may get nothing, and renewing him may affect future salary flexibility. This is a difficult problem."

Frank needs to find a balance between championship competition and long-term planning. No matter what, the Clippers will be full of expectations and challenges next season. They have become strong contenders for the championship. Harden and Paul's organizational skills, Leonard's key ball ability, Bill's scoring explosiveness and Zubac's inside stability all provide the Clippers with unlimited possibilities.