The Los Angeles Clippers have been eliminated from playoff contention after losing game seven of their first round series with the Utah Jazz on Sunday, April 30. With their elimination from the postseason, it’s time they start looking ahead. Three of their starting five players have the option to leave the team this summer. This means we can see a totally different Clippers squad when next season comes around.

Facing a young, inexperienced team in the Utah Jazz, the Clippers were picked by the majority of NBA experts to advance to the second round of the playoffs. But Los Angeles was, yet again, a disappointment when it matters most. This postseason marks the fifth straight year they have been eliminated after leading in their best-of-seven series. The Clippers had a 2-1 lead over the Jazz before losing three of the next four.

Since acquiring Chris Paul in 2011, the Clippers have won at least 60 percent of their games each regular season. The playoff success has been lacking, though. Injuries have plagued the “Lob City” era of the Clippers, and when the team seems to be healthy, they find a way to collapse in the playoffs.

The Clippers failed to reach the Western Conference Finals with the big 3 of Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan in six straight postseasons. They were believed to be a favorite to make it there each year.

Now Griffin and Paul have the option to become free agents and leave their “Lob City” days behind. Fellow Clipper starter J.J. Redick’s contract expired when the Clippers were eliminated from the playoffs, so he’s already a free agent. With hardly any success in the postseason, these guys really have no reason to lace ’em up and battle together again.

Many NBA analysts are convinced that we’ve seen the last of the Clippers squad we’ve grown accustomed to. Clippers’ owner Steve Balmer and coach/president of basketball operations Doc Rivers will have a lot of work to do this summer if all three of their key players decide they’re done with Los Angeles.