Los Angeles Clippers: 2017-18 NBA season preview

The Los Angeles Clippers dramatically revamped their roster and front office during the offseason. Despite losing Chris Paul and J.J. Redick, they hope to make the playoffs for a seventh straight year in 2017-18.

The Los Angeles Clippers were built around their core four starters since J.J. Redick joined the team for the 2013-14 season. Both of the guards in that core group in Redick and Chris Paul moved on during free agency.

The roster overhaul went beyond just Paul and Redick’s departures. Luc Mbah a Moute, the team’s fifth starter last year, went to Houston shortly after Paul. Most of the bottom of the bench left in free agency. The Clippers replenished their bench with the Paul trade and added some other pieces later in the offseason.

The roster was not the only part of the organization to receive a facelift this offseason. Doc Rivers has mercifully been relieved of his front office duties, and Steve Ballmer brought in some respected and experienced front office voices in his stead. This team might look very different in 2017-18, but it will still be in the playoff hunt in an increasingly difficult Western Conference.

2016-17 Vitals

51-31, 2nd in the Pacific Division, 4th in the Western Conference
108.7 PPG (6th)/104.4 OPP PPG (12th)
112.7 Offensive Rating (5th)/108.2 Defensive Rating (12th)

Team Leaders

Scoring:  Blake Griffin, 21.6 PPG
Rebounding:  DeAndre Jordan, 13.8 RPG
Assists:  Chris Paul, 9.2 APG
Steals:  Chris Paul, 2.0 SPG
Blocks:  DeAndre Jordan, 1.7 BPG

Honors
NBA All-Star:  DeAndre Jordan
All-NBA Third Team:  DeAndre Jordan
NBA All-Defensive First Team:  Chris Paul