Los Angeles Clippers: Biggest strengths and weaknesses for 2017-18

Weakness No. 1: Injuries

The Los Angeles Clippers are a clear playoff team on paper next season. However, their greatest weakness is that their roster on paper may end up being paper-thin. The team has a number of major injury risks on the roster, and no real way to replace a couple of them.

Blake Griffin’s injury history is frequently overstated. He was remarkably healthy to start his career after a freak injury and a broken bone led to missing his rookie season. He missed time from a staph infection and a broken hand — neither of which are likely to be recurring issues. However, he might not be healthy on opening night as he recovers from the foot injury he suffered in the 2017 NBA Playoffs.

While Griffin’s injury history might be overstated, Danilo Gallinari‘s history is much more troubling. He has missed more than 10 games in every season besides his second year in the league. After missing the entire 2013-14 season with an ACL tear, Gallo has played in 59, 53 and 63 games in the three subsequent seasons.

Blake and Gallo are the team’s two best offensive players (barring an incredibly rapid adjustment to the NBA game from Teodosic). Furthermore, the team does not have anyone on the bench that could fill their roles in the frontcourt. Extended absences from either star forward would spell major trouble for the Clippers.