Los Angeles Clippers: 2017-18 NBA season preview

Best-case scenario

Despite losing Chris Paul and J.J. Redick in the offseason, the Los Angeles Clippers still have the upside to end the 2017-18 season with a similar record to their 51-31 mark from last season.

The backcourt rotation of Patrick Beverley, Milos Teodosic, Austin Rivers and Lou Williams jells from day one, and each of them is able to capitalize on their strengths when in the game. While the starters might be slightly overmatched against some of the top teams in the league, their guard depth is enough to overwhelm almost anyone.

The frontcourt lives up to Gallinari’s bold prediction and quickly coalesces into the best starting frontcourt in the league. Blake Griffin is fully unleashed as the lead scorer and lead ball-handler and finishes in the top five of the MVP vote. DeAndre Jordan does not miss a beat with Milos throwing lobs instead of Chris Paul and DJ makes another All-NBA team. Gallinari stays healthy for most of the season, and the Clippers top 50 wins for the sixth straight season.

Worst-case scenario

While the team’s upside is similar to their 51-31 record from last season, their floor is significantly lower. With only one offensive star instead of two, the team’s offense could quickly fall apart.

DeAndre Jordan falls off significantly on the offensive end without Chris Paul to get him good looks, and his sky-high field goal percentage and points per game drop precipitously. Blake Griffin and Danilo Gallinari are in and out of the lineup with injuries, and never figure out how to make it work on defense.

Doc Rivers bungles the team’s rotations, and quickly loses the locker room. The Clippers fire him once the team falls below .500, and they crawl to the finish line in 10th place in the West with somewhere between 35 and 40 wins.