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NBA: Biggest surprises and disappointments of the 2017-18 season thus far

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 13: Victor Oladipo #4 of Indiana Pacers and Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder watch the action during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 13, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 13: Victor Oladipo #4 of Indiana Pacers and Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder watch the action during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 13, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 20: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the LA Clippers speaks with Milos Teodosic #4 during a 108-95 win over the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on December 20, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 20: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the LA Clippers speaks with Milos Teodosic #4 during a 108-95 win over the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on December 20, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

LA Clippers

The Clippers’ season, much like the Grizzlies, has been a worst case scenario. There were always going to be risks when you are relying on players like Blake Griffin, Danilo Gallinari and Patrick Beverly to stay healthy. Given health, this team had the potential to be a factor in the Western Conference playoff hunt.

What could go wrong has gone wrong, as it often does with the Clippers. Patrick Beverly is out for the season after having knee surgery, Gallinari has been in and out of the lineup with a glute injury and Blake has missed time with a sprained MCL.

Right now the Clippers are 17-19 and and one game out of the 8th seed.

Clearly, the Clippers were not interested in rebuilding this season after Chris Paul left for Houston. After this season, it will be hard for LA to sell that they are still competing. This is a team that needs to quickly decide what direction they want to go this offseason. They currently have a strange mix of veterans and young players that leaves them unable to compete and unable to build towards the future.

What to Watch For:

With the trade deadline now moved up to February 8, teams will be forced to make quicker decisions regarding who stays and who goes. The Clippers will have some big decisions to make over the next month.

The two players to watch will be DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams.

Jordan, a 3-time All-NBA center, can opt out of the $24 million he is owed next season to become a free agent. The 29-year-old will be looking for a big contract if he decides to become a free agent, leaving the Clippers in a tough spot. Do they want to commit long-term to Jordan and a core that is not good enough to contend or do they want to ship him out now so they don’t lose him for nothing.

Lou Williams is having a terrific season for the Clippers. He is averaging a career-high 20.8 points and shooting 39.7% on over six 3-point attempts per game. He definitely could be a player that a team looking for instant offense targets on the trade market. He has had his struggles in the playoffs but his ability to score is certainly valuable enough to warrant trade considerations.

With Blake Griffin now back in the lineup the Clippers will have to make a decision. Do they want to push to sneak into the playoffs or do they want to finally press the reset button?

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