NBA: 10 players certain to regress in 2019-20

8. Paul George, LA Clippers

Paul George put on a show in 2018-19 and placed third in MVP voting. His dominant shooting and defense was on full display as he drove the Oklahoma City Thunder to the playoffs before they ultimately collapsed. George’s performance last season was far better than his normal value and he injured both shoulders during the year.

Though he has had an offseason to rehab, it will be prudent to keep a close eye on his health early in the season.

George also made a big change in his mailing address this summer, teaming up with Kawhi Leonard to make the LA Clippers an instant contender. Since Kawhi is not (yet?) an elite distributor, Paul George will have to create more of his own offense than he did last year playing alongside of Russell Westbrook.

While George is still a good bet to land on an All-NBA team at season’s end, he may not be able to replicate his career year from a season ago due to a combination of factors such as his health, his normal performance level, his new team, and his place in that team’s hierarchy. He’ll still be very good, just not quite as good as he was in 2019.