Los Angeles Clippers: 5 keys to making the playoffs in 2017-18

4. Backcourt depth

The Los Angeles Clippers have a full stable in the backcourt. The starting point guard battle between Milos Teodosic and Patrick Beverley will be the biggest storyline of training camp. Even if the two of them end up starting together, the Clippers have two other talented guards who can come off the bench.

Austin Rivers was quite effective last year as a starter in Chris Paul’s absence, but he can also be a valuable rotation guard coming off the bench. Rivers has improved dramatically since he first came to Los Angeles, and he will have a chance to showcase his skills regardless of his role.

Lou Williams is probably the most likely of the four main guards to come off the bench, but that is for good reason. Williams is a prototypical combo guard scorer with one Sixth Man of the Year award already under his belt along with his second place finish in that race last year.

In addition to those four guards, Los Angeles has two talented rookies in Jawun Evans and Sindarius Thornwell who could earn minutes down the stretch. The Clippers might not be as strong at the top of their guard rotation in 2017-18 as they were last year, but that rotation will be one of the deepest in the league.