NBA: Ranking the teams in the Pacific Division for 2017-18
2. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers’ streak of five straight seasons with 50 or more wins looks to be in jeopardy after losing Point God Chris Paul.
Paul was traded to the Houston Rockets in June after he made it clear he wouldn’t be returning to the team. This at least allowed them to save face and acquire some assets instead of losing him for nothing. And the Clippers didn’t come away too bad after the blockbuster deal.
More from NBA
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
- Constructing the NBA’s perfect all-under-25 starting five
- Grading every NBA team’s highest draft pick in the last five years
They acquired Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker, Motrezl Harrell, Darrun Hilliard, DeAndre Liggins, Lou Williams, Kyle Wiltjer and a 2018 first round pick.
At the very least, Beverley, Dekker, Harrell and Williams will be role players for the team. Liggins could also work himself into the rotation. They will help replace the losses of Paul, Jamal Crawford and Paul Pierce, who have all moved on this season.
However, there’s more.
The Clippers also acquired Danilo Gallinari in a three-team trade. He projects to slide in at the starting small forward position. Gallinari is a good outside shooter and underrated playmaker. A frontcourt that also includes Blake Griffin (when he returns from injury) and DeAndre Jordan will be very formidable.
Milos Teodosic, the dime-dropper from Serbia, will also be an intriguing player this year. He’s one of the best passers in the world and can help replace some of what they lost in Paul.
With other minor acquisitions along the way, this team will be very exciting to watch. As they look to turn the page from the Paul era, they appear to have a pretty good start.