Johni Broome’s career with the Los Angeles Clippers is officially over before it even got rolling. The team just waived the 24-year-old, a move that comes mere weeks ahead of the NBA preseason, leaving Broome in a mad scramble to find a new squad. Talk about a tough break right when you’re supposed to be gearing up for a fresh start.
From Philly To LA, Briefly
Broome was actually a main piece in a big offseason trade that sent him from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Clippers earlier this summer. The Sixers had a wild, busy offseason, no doubt about it. They pulled in some massive talent, bringing in the likes of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James, among others. To make room for those game-changing acquisitions, Philly had to make some serious moves. They needed to create headspace on the roster and free up salary cap space, which meant getting some contracts off the books through trades. Broome’s deal was squarely on that list. He landed at the Intuit Dome, along with a second-round pick, with the Clippers sending cash considerations back to Philadelphia.
His first season in the league, fresh out of Auburn, wasn’t exactly highlight-reel material. The former 76ers second-rounder struggled big-time to get consistent NBA minutes. He spent most of his time grinding it out with the Delaware Blue Coats, which is Philadelphia’s G League affiliate, trying to hone his game and prove he belonged at the next level. To make matters worse, his season got cut short prematurely when it was announced Broome had suffered a lateral meniscus tear. It just wasn’t the debut year he, or the Sixers, were hoping for.
The Clock Is Ticking
Now, instead of getting a clean slate in Los Angeles, Broome is back on the market. NBA insider Jake Fischer dropped the news, confirming the Clippers’ decision to move on from him. It’s a brutal situation for a young player, especially with the NBA preseason tipping off in a matter of weeks. Every team is pretty much set, or at least narrowing down their options for the final roster spots. This move doesn’t leave Broome with too much time left to find a new team, putting immense pressure on him to land somewhere quickly.
The clock is absolutely ticking for Broome to land on his feet and salvage his early NBA career. While there’s still a whole season ahead for him to snag a second chance in the league, finding that opportunity before the regular season even begins is going to be a mad dash. He’s got to prove he’s fully healthy from that meniscus tear and can contribute immediately to a team looking for depth. Can he find a new home before opening night, or will he have to battle through the G League again to earn his way back? That’s the question everyone’s asking, and his NBA future hangs in the balance.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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