News
September 20, 2025
Los Angeles Clippers have made ‘the most damaging transaction in the history of the league,’ says Bill Simmons
The Los Angeles Clippers are considered the most cursed franchise in NBA history. Founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, the franchise faced numerous challenges, leading to its relocation to San Diego in 1978 and then to Los Angeles in 1984.
**Los Angeles Clippers Haunted by History, One Transaction Deemed ‘Most Damaging’**
The Los Angeles Clippers, a team synonymous with hardship and near-misses, are once again under the microscope. This time, the scrutiny comes from sports analyst Bill Simmons, who has branded a specific, yet unnamed, transaction as “the most damaging transaction in the history of the league.” While the details of this particular deal remain unspecified, the statement underscores a long-held belief among NBA fans and analysts alike: the Clippers are, perhaps, the most cursed franchise in the sport.
The Clippers’ history is a tapestry woven with misfortune. Their journey began in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, a team that showed promise but ultimately failed to capture lasting success in upstate New York. Financial difficulties and a lack of consistent winning records plagued the Braves, leading to a relocation to San Diego in 1978.
Even the sunny shores of Southern California couldn't wash away the team's bad luck. Rebranded as the San Diego Clippers, the franchise continued to struggle both on and off the court. Attendance dwindled, and the team remained a perennial bottom-dweller.
The move north to Los Angeles in 1984, orchestrated by then-owner Donald Sterling, was intended to usher in a new era. However, the Clippers' woes persisted. For decades, the team languished in the shadow of their Staples Center co-tenants, the Los Angeles Lakers, enduring a seemingly endless cycle of losing seasons, questionable management decisions, and missed opportunities.
While the Clippers have experienced periods of relative success in recent years, including the "Lob City" era and the current Kawhi Leonard and Paul George pairing, the franchise has yet to reach the ultimate goal: an NBA championship. This ongoing drought, coupled with the historical baggage, fuels the narrative of the Clippers as a team perpetually battling against forces beyond their control. Simmons' bold statement, though lacking specifics, taps into this deeply ingrained perception, suggesting that a single, ill-fated decision may have amplified the Clippers' already considerable challenges. Whether this “most damaging transaction” can be identified and its true impact assessed, the Clippers’ history serves as a cautionary tale of how misfortune can shape a franchise's identity.
The Los Angeles Clippers, a team synonymous with hardship and near-misses, are once again under the microscope. This time, the scrutiny comes from sports analyst Bill Simmons, who has branded a specific, yet unnamed, transaction as “the most damaging transaction in the history of the league.” While the details of this particular deal remain unspecified, the statement underscores a long-held belief among NBA fans and analysts alike: the Clippers are, perhaps, the most cursed franchise in the sport.
The Clippers’ history is a tapestry woven with misfortune. Their journey began in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, a team that showed promise but ultimately failed to capture lasting success in upstate New York. Financial difficulties and a lack of consistent winning records plagued the Braves, leading to a relocation to San Diego in 1978.
Even the sunny shores of Southern California couldn't wash away the team's bad luck. Rebranded as the San Diego Clippers, the franchise continued to struggle both on and off the court. Attendance dwindled, and the team remained a perennial bottom-dweller.
The move north to Los Angeles in 1984, orchestrated by then-owner Donald Sterling, was intended to usher in a new era. However, the Clippers' woes persisted. For decades, the team languished in the shadow of their Staples Center co-tenants, the Los Angeles Lakers, enduring a seemingly endless cycle of losing seasons, questionable management decisions, and missed opportunities.
While the Clippers have experienced periods of relative success in recent years, including the "Lob City" era and the current Kawhi Leonard and Paul George pairing, the franchise has yet to reach the ultimate goal: an NBA championship. This ongoing drought, coupled with the historical baggage, fuels the narrative of the Clippers as a team perpetually battling against forces beyond their control. Simmons' bold statement, though lacking specifics, taps into this deeply ingrained perception, suggesting that a single, ill-fated decision may have amplified the Clippers' already considerable challenges. Whether this “most damaging transaction” can be identified and its true impact assessed, the Clippers’ history serves as a cautionary tale of how misfortune can shape a franchise's identity.
Category:
Sports