NBA: Re-Ranking The Western Conference After Free Agency

Apr 24, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin (32) dribbles against San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (L) in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Clippers

2014-15 Record: 56-26

2015-16 Projected Wins: 50-55

In a strange turn of events, the Los Angeles Clippers went from being just another “good” Western Conference team to now being a “legit” NBA Championship contender again — all thanks to the realization of DeAndre Jordan.

Throw Lance Stephenson and Paul Pierce into last year’s team that nearly made it to the Western Conference Finals, and you can see why this Clippers team NEEDED to retain Jordan for potentially a few more attempts at the championship.

The Clippers will be there — right with the Rockets, Warriors, Spurs and Thunder — I’m just not sure this team is better than any one of those. They could be though, depending on how much of a (offensive) step Jordan takes this season.

Next: No. 4 Houston Rockets