GM: Michael Winger
Head coach: Doc Rivers
2016-17 record: 51-31 (5th in the Western Conference)
2016-17 result: Lost 4-3 in the first round
Key departures: Chris Paul, J.J. Redick, Jamal Crawford
Key acquisitions: Danilo Gallinari, Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Milos Teodosic
The Los Angeles Clippers are heading into 2017-18 season with only five returning players on their roster in DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin, Austin Rivers, Wesley Johnson and Brice Johnson.
The Clippers received a large package in return for Chris Paul when they traded the nine-time all-star to Houston, the most notable players being Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker, and Montrezl Harrell.
Beverley will be able to match Paul on the defensive end on the floor and when it comes to Paul’s otherworldly passing, they’ll have Milos Milos Teodosic, a 30-year-old rookie from Europe who NBA general managers have been trying to bring to the NBA for ages.
Things not only changed on the court for the Clippers, but also in their front office. They brought in Jerry West as a consultant, and Lawrence Frank as president of basketball operations. Both moves came in light of Steve Ballmer stripping Doc Rivers of his duties as general manager, since he’ll be too busy “integrating our new players with our returning players and taking us to new heights on the court,” said Ballmer.
New heights likely mean reaching the Conference Finals, something the Clippers have never done in their franchise’s history. It’s a tough task for Doc, who’ll have to do it without one of the game’s best all-time point guards, knowing that, between the lines, his coaching position may be the next thing to be stripped from him.
Potential Breakout Player
The Clippers are looking to play their fare share of small-ball this season, which would see Blake Griffin at centre and Danilo Gallinari at power forward. But if they plan to do so, they’ll need to develop their wing depth, because playing a six-foot-four Austin Rivers at small forward simply won’t do.
This opportunity should benefit Sam Dekker, who could break out this season after having a limited role with the Rockets. When healthy, he’s shown an ability to get out in transition, which should highly benefit their playmakers in Griffin, Gallinari and Teodosic.
As a rookie last season he showed flashes of the player we saw help lead Wisconsin to the 2015 NCAA Championship. He had five games with at least 15 points, which included a 30-point performance behind six made three-pointers in a win against the Grizzlies.
What a successful 2017-18 would look like
If they’re going to keep their playoff streak alive, which stands at a franchise-best six years, they’ll need to see an MVP type of year from Blake Griffin. Making the postseason would make 2017-18 a successful year with the West expected to see the rise of the Nuggets, Pelicans and Timberwolves. But there is hope for the Clippers despite losing Paul.
Griffin was at his best in the 2013-14, when Chris Paul was out for 20 games. He finished third in MVP voting that season, behind a stat line of 24.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists. It was the year where his passing skills also came to light, with Griffin averaging 5.1 assists in the three seasons that followed. If he can put up that line of production the Clippers should be just fine.
X-Factor
Patrick Beverly is always ready to go to war.
It might take a while for the Clippers to find their groove offensively, but in the meantime they’ll need Beverley to change the game with his defence, something he’s more than capable of doing coming fresh off an All-NBA defensive first-team nod.
The former second-round pick should also have more of an incentive this year than ever before, knowing his salary isn’t fully-guaranteed for the 2018-19 season.
