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Los Angeles Clippers: 5 reasons to be excited for 2018-19 NBA season

By Aymin Bakr

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 5: Boban Marjanovic #51 and Tobias Harris #34 of the LA Clippers exchange handshakes after the game against the Dallas Mavericks on February 5, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 5: Boban Marjanovic #51 and Tobias Harris #34 of the LA Clippers exchange handshakes after the game against the Dallas Mavericks on February 5, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images /

5. Previously injured players get a chance to play

Avery Bradley, Patrick Beverley and Danilo Gallinari were some of the bigger additions to the Clippers last year. The Lob City team was known for a great starting lineup, but was often never deep enough to make it past the second round. With key acquisitions like these, the depth was expected to improve drastically.

While this likely would’ve been true, the three main acquisitions played a combined 38 games due to various injuries and never got the chance to make an impact for a solid Clippers team. Although it’s not guaranteed they’ll be able to stay healthy for the entirety of the upcoming season, their presence will make a huge difference.

The 2017-18 Clippers managed to pull off an impressive 42-win season in a competitive Western Conference despite a plethora of injuries to key players and the blockbuster Blake Griffin trade. Although multiple teams have improved their odds of playoff contention this offseason, the Clippers retain a very similar roster to last season with the addition of a young and highly skilled point guard in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Beverley and Bradley are undoubtedly some of the best defensive guards in the league and have also both proven their ability to help a team win games and contribute offensively as well. Gallinari will have to learn to coexist with Harris — assuming he isn’t included in a potential trade for a star — but has always proven to be a high-level scorer.

If all three are healthy, they’ll contribute to the lack of depth the team has without them in multiple ways.

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