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NBA: Re-seeding the Western Conference after the Free Agency

By Jacob Doole

NBA Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
NBA Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 23: Doc Rivers the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers gives instructions to his team against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 23, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 23: Doc Rivers the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers gives instructions to his team against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 23, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

11. Los Angeles Clippers

Last season: 42-40, 10th

Notable ins: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jerome Robinson, Marcin Gortat, Mike Scott

Notable outs: DeAndre Jordan, Austin Rivers

The Los Angeles Clippers were a pleasant surprise last season, almost sneaking into the playoffs despite the loss of Blake Griffin and Chris Paul. With DeAndre Jordan now belatedly departed for Dallas, they will once again have to operate by committee.

They certainly have the talent to make it work once again. Patrick Beverly, Avery Bradley and Lou Williams make up one of the most well-rounded backcourt rotations in the league. Beverly and Bradley might be the two best defensive guards in the league, and Williams took his scoring abilities to a new level last year as he pushed for his first All-Star berth.

Milos Teodosic is a wildcard fourth option, as his injury-affected first NBA season makes it hard to judge his fit in the league. With such strong guards around him, he should still thrive in his second go-around.

Danilo Gallinari and Tobias Harris are an intriguing forward pairing, as they can switch across both positions defensively. On offense, they are both reliable outside shooters and can space the floor for the guards to operate.

And in the middle, Gortat is far from a replacement for Jordan, but he should be a decent facsimile. He can protect the paint, rebound and run the floor, albeit to a much lesser extent than his predecessor.

All of that doesn’t even account for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson, LA’s back-to-back lottery picks. Gilgeous-Alexander in particular could force his way into the rotation after a strong summer league showing.

With a rotation that could easily go 10 deep, the Clippers will be a be able to mix-and-match to suit their opposition, and should be a tough matchup for any team.

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