2023-24 NBA Season Preview: Los Angeles Clippers
The 2023-24 NBA season is officially here! Since the start of training camp, we have previewed all 30 NBA teams. Today, we are previewing the Los Angeles Clippers, who look to rebound off another unfruitful season mired by inconsistencies and injuries.
What happened last year?
With Leonard coming off a torn ACL, the Los Angeles Clippers entered the 2022-23 as one of the West’s deepest and most interesting teams. But it all resulted in mere disappointment, as the Clippers finished 44-38, finishing 17th in offense, defense and NET Rating. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George both played fewer than 55 games, while the rotation suffered regression from Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris and Robert Covington, among others. Los Angeles ultimately acquired Russell Westbrook and Mason Plumlee in the spring, but it was not enough to escape past the Phoenix Suns, who eliminated the Clippers in five games in the first round of the 2023 playoffs.
Offseason recap:
Injuries were the real downfall to the Clippers’ season, but there was still work to be done this offseason to boast this roster. While most of the offseason revolved around James Harden rumors that are still invading the interwebs, let’s discuss the Clips’ moves that were actually made.
They re-signed Russell Westbrook and Mason Plumlee, both of whom were acquired midseason either at or after the trade deadline (Westbrook was signed after being bought out by Utah), on inexpensive contracts. The Clippers traded pennies on the dollar for hyper-athletic wing K.J. Martin. They also drafted 6-foot-10 multipositional big Kobe Brown, as well as Jordan Miller with the No. 30 and 48 picks, respectively. Though Los Angeles did lose veteran sniper Eric Gordon, who signed with the Suns on a minimum contract.
Outside of George and Leonard, Los Angeles still has plenty of aging wings whose value isn’t high on contracts that will be up soon, which is a problem they will need to configure at the trade deadline. I don’t think Daryl Morey will facilitate that, either.
Projected starting five?
Russell Westbrook, G — Westbrook’s energy looked completely revamped after switching teams in Los Angeles last season. His raw numbers were similar, averaging 15.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 7.6 assists in 21 games (all starts). It remains to be seen if Westbrook, who shouldered a heavy load against Phoenix in the postseason, will make a positive impact with this team over an 82-game sample.
Terance Mann, G — Perhaps the greatest news all summer out of Inglewood was that Mann will be starting over Morris. The 27-year-old’s production took a slight step back last season, and so did his role. He still averaged 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 51.9/38.9/78.0 shooting splits last season.
Paul George, F — George played in 68.3 percent of his team’s games last season, his second-highest clip since he played in 77 of his team’s 82 with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2018-19. When he’s on the court, he’s an All-NBA caliber player; George averaged 23.8 points on 45.7/37.1/87.1 shooting splits last season, in addition to 6.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.5 steals.
Kawhi Leonard, F — Leonard’s recent injury history is even murkier; coming off knee surgery, the 32-year-old is one of the best two-way forces on planet Earth. His numbers were eerily similar to George’s last season. They form one of the best duos in the NBA when both are healthy, which has been a big ask over the last four seasons. With the NBA’s new rest rules for “stars” in place, I’m interested to see if Leonard plays at least 60 games, a feat he’s only reached once since 2016-17.
Ivica Zubac, C — Zubac struggled in the postseason, but still had a career year in the regular season in his third year as a full-time starter with Los Angeles. He averaged 10.8 points and 9.9 rebounds, offering a reasonable floor offensively ahead of Plumlee, who could eat into some production over a full season.
Notable reserves:
Norman Powell, G — Powell’s name surfaced plenty amid James Harden trade speculation this offseason. The 6-foot-3 guard remained remarkably efficient from 3-point range last season, knocking down 39.7 percent of his 4.8 triple tries per game. He’s canned over 40 percent of his 3-point attempts over the last four years. He averaged 17.0 points and is more of a multi-level scorer than some give him credit for.
Nic Batum, F — Batum’s role has decreased acutely over the last three seasons. He dipped to 21.9 minutes per game last season, but still was a do-it-all specialist that covered up Los Angeles’ bench units.
Mason Plumlee, C — Plumlee was acquired midseason from the Hornets and was a steadying presence behind Zubac, tallying 7.5 points and 6.9 rebounds in 19.9 minutes.
Who’s the X-Factor? Health of Leonard, George
It’s a cop-out, but for the Clippers to get over the hump for the first time in franchise history, both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George need to remain healthy. If one, or perhaps both or not, with how deep the West is, the Clippers could very easily be looking at another early-round exit.
Projected result:
I have the Clippers finishing as the 8th-best team in the Western Conference during the regular season.
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