Chris Paul sits at No. 2 on the NBA all-time steals list.

The current LA Clippers squad contains some excellent defensive players, including Kawhi Leonard. Over the course of the franchise’s history, they have seen several players provide valuable contributions in terms of steals. Let’s highlight their top-five leaders in steals per game for a single season.

Chris Paul, 2012, 2.5 SPG

After winning the Rookie of the Year award, making four All-Star teams and leading the NBA in steals per game three times with the Hornets, Paul was traded to the Clippers prior to the 2011-12 season. In his first season with his new team, he led the league in steals again with 2.5 of them per game. He also averaged 19.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 9.1 assists to make the All-Star team, be named All-NBA First Team and finish third in MVP voting.

Chris Paul, 2014, 2.5 SPG

When Paul averaged 2.5 steals per game in 2013-14, it marked the fourth straight season that he led the NBA in steals. He also led the league with 10.7 assists per game that season. He made the All-Star team again, was named All-Defensive First Team and finished seventh in MVP voting.

Randy Smith, 1974, 2.5 SPG

Smith played for the franchise when it was known as the Buffalo Braves. When he began his career in 1971, steals were not an official stat in the NBA. They became officially tracked in 1973-74 and Smith immediately stood out in the category with 2.5 steals per game. He appeared in all 82 games for the Clippers that season, also averaging 15.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists. Across 715 career regular season games with the franchise, Smith averaged 17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.9 steals. He made two All-Star teams and was selected All-NBA Second Team one time.

Chris Paul, 2013, 2.4 SPG

Paul led the league in 2012-13 with his average of 2.4 steals per game. He also chipped in 16.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 9.7 assists per game while making the All-Star Team, being named All-NBA First Team and finishing fourth in MVP voting. Following his time with the Clippers, Paul played for the Rockets, Thunder, Suns, Warriors and Spurs. Paul then re-signed with the Clippers prior to the 2025-26 season. Leading up to the season, he has averaged 2.0 steals per game for his career.

Ron Harper, 1993, 2.2 SPG

Harper played for the Cavaliers before being traded to the Clippers during the 1989-90 season. He averaged at least 2.1 steals per game in each of his first four seasons in the NBA. His best performance in the category with the Clippers came in 1992-93 when he averaged 2.2 steals to go along with 18.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. Over 304 career regular season games with the Clippers, Harper averaged 19.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.0 steals. Following his time with the Clippers, Harper won five total championships during stints with the Bulls and Lakers.