The Los Angeles Clippers have long been trying to forge their own history and identity, but they always find themselves in the shadow of their crosstown rival, the Lakers. After all, it's tough to distinguish themselves when they play in the same arena.

Their plans of leaving LeBron James and the Lakers behind at Staples Center is taking its first major step. The Clippers' new arena in Inglewood is reportedly set to break ground before the end of August.

Via Arash Markazi of the Morning Column:

“We hope to have them break ground before the end of August for the venue to be open for the first season in 2024-25,” said Inglewood mayor James T. Butts said. “The Clippers arena will be done in time for the 2024-25 NBA season.”

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Clippers Arena Renderings Give a First Look at the Billion-Dollar Build

While the 2024-25 season is still far away, it's also exactly when the Clippers' lease at Staples Center ends. It also marks the final year of Kawhi Leonard's recently signed extension that has him committed to LAC up to 2025. It isn't easy to project several years into the future, but it can be said that after making the Western Conference Finals this past season, the Clippers won fresh respect — not only for making the first conference final in franchise history, but for battling in the face of adversity and showing the resilience the 2020 Orlando bubble team clearly failed to demonstrate.

If the 2021 team is reflective of how well the Clips carry themselves in the coming years, their entrance into a new arena will be an especially proud moment for the team, the organization, and the local community.

The Los Angeles Clippers have long been considered the “other” LA team. The Lakers have ruled not just in California, but arguably the entire world as one of the most popular franchises in any sport. Finally getting their own arena is a massive step for the Clips in getting out of the Lakers' shadow.