Los Angeles Clippers: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season
By Simon Smith
Following an extremely eventful offseason, here are five bold predictions for the Los Angeles Clippers in season 2017-18.
After being bundled out of the postseason in the first round at the hands of the Utah Jazz, the Los Angeles Clippers were fully aware that change was on the way.
But not even the Clippers hierarchy could’ve anticipated just how significant the changing of the guard would be this past summer.
It all kicked off with the hiring of Hall-of-Famer Jerry West to the team as a consultant. Although not an enormous move in the grand scheme of things, West was nonetheless fresh off performing the role with the Golden State Warriors, who won two NBA titles during West’s six years in the role.
After the signing of West, things went to whole new level with point guard Chris Paul leaving via trade. The result was a multi-player deal with the Houston Rockets, which brought back a number of players to provide the Clippers with a sizable improvement in their depth chart. Among the chief components of the trade were guards Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams, and forwards Sam Dekker and Montrezl Harrell.
Considering Paul’s influence and standing in the game, this move signaled a clear change in direction of the franchise. In essence, they would now be handing over the keys to All-Star forward Blake Griffin, as demonstrated by his five-year, $173 million contract extension.
In addition to the players acquired in the Paul deal, the Clippers further stacked their roster with the signing of sharpshooting forward Danilo Gallinari. Having lost starting shooting guard J.J. Redick via free agency, bringing in Gallinari was crucial in providing a reliable perimeter threat to complement the other Clippers’ starters. Unfortunately, in the process of acquiring Gallinari they had to part ways with key reserve Jamal Crawford.
Understandably, with a host of new faces on board, there is a real sense of anticipation and excitement as to what the Clippers could accomplish with this new-look roster. Bearing all this in mind, here are five bold predictions for the Clippers in season 2017-18.