Lakers News: How Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer Feels About His Crypto.com Neighbors

Including an insight into the club's relocation.

Los Angeles Clippers majority owner Steve Ballmer has always been one of the more outspoken team governors in the NBA. The former Microsoft CEO is known for his hilarious sideline antics during Clippers games; his, uh, enthusiastic press conferences for product rollouts (just YouTube it); and his thus far fruitless efforts to make the Clippers even marginally relevant in the Los Angeles sports world.

Now, during a new conversation with L.A. All-Star forward Paul George for the latter's "Podcast P" show, Ballmer has gotten candid once again about why he's looking forward to leaving Crypto.com Arena, the home court his Clippers have shared with your Los Angeles Lakers since 1999 (back when it was called the Staples Center), and striking out on his own at the new Intuit Dome arena, very close to the Lakers' former home floor, the Great Western Forum (now the Kia Forum). 

The Intuit Dome is set to open at the start of the 2024-25 NBA season. It's unclear what Ballmer's Clippers will look like at that point. 

“We’re never gonna be all we can be unless we’re in nobody’s shadow,” Ballmer told George on the pod. 

The injury-prone George, who will be 34 at the start of next season, has a $48.8 million player option with the Clippers for that year. Given his recent health struggles, it's an open question as to whether he'll be able to make that much annually on the open market anymore, but the Palmdale native may opt for longer-term security elsewhere instead.

His injury-prone teammate Kawhi Leonard will be turning 33 heading into 2024-25. Leonard, too, has a player option that season.

Point being, there's a scenario where a starless Clippers club will be opening up its new Westside home to even less fanfare than its had in recent years with two of the league's biggest names. 

As long as the Clippers are still in LA, they're going to be in the direct shadow of the team that's won 17 NBA titles.

Are you following us on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube yet? Join the conversation as we discuss the latest Lakers news and rumors with fans like you!