Los Angeles Clippers: 2015-16 Season Outlook

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Jul 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers players pose with jerseys at press conference at Staples Center. From left: Branden Dawson (22), DeAndre Jordan (6), Austin Rivers (25), coach Doc Rivers and Josh Smith (5), Cole Aldrich (45), Paul Pierce (34) and Wesley Johnson (33). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

2015-16 Roster

Cole Aldrich, C
Jamal Crawford, G
Branden Dawson, F
Blake Griffin, F
Chuck Hayes, C
Wesley Johnson, G
DeAndre Jordan, C
Chris Paul, G
Paul Pierce, F
Pablo Prigioni, G
J.J. Redick, G
Austin Rivers, G
Josh Smith, F
Lance Stephenson, G
C.J. Wilcox, G

Offseason Additions
Cole Aldrich (free agent-New York), Branden Dawson (draft, 56th overall), Chuck Hayes (free agent-Toronto), Wesley Johnson (free agent-Los Angeles Lakers), Paul Pierce (free agent-Washington), Pablo Prigioni (free agent), Josh Smith (free agent-Houston), Lance Stephenson (trade-Charlotte)

Offseason Subtractions
Matt Barnes (trade-Charlotte), Jordan Hamilton (waived), Spencer Hawes (trade-Charlotte), Lester Hudson (waived), Dahntay Jones (free agent-Brooklyn), Ekpe Udoh (free agent-Turkey)

Quick Thoughts

The Clippers didn’t really bring in any A-list free agents this summer, but they were able to retain one by re-signing DeAndre Jordan. Without him, Lob City’s title hopes would’ve ended right then and there, but with DJ back onboard, Doc Rivers was able to turn his attention to upgrading what was one of the worst bench units in the playoffs last year.

With a starting unit of Chris Paul, J.J. Redick, Matt Barnes, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, the Clippers had as good a starting five as anyone, and they proved that in the playoffs by dismantling the San Antonio Spurs’ starting five in an epic seven-game series. But with Barnes gone and the Clippers needing more bench depth than Jamal Crawford and Austin Rivers, L.A. had to get creative with limited cap space.

At the forefront of the Clippers’ offseason moves was the reunion of Doc with Paul Pierce, who had a tremendous season with the Washington Wizards as a veteran leader. The Truth may be past his prime, but between Pierce, Josh Smith, Lance Stephenson, Wesley Johnson, Pablo Prigioni and even Cole Aldrich, the Clippers may have — on paper, at least — solved their issues in the second unit.

Next: Storyline: Did The Clippers Fix Their Bench?

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