NBA: Ranking the top 10 teams heading into the 2019-20 season

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NBA Toronto Raptors Kawhi Leonard (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2. Los Angeles Clippers

Just when the Lakers thought they cemented themselves as the rulers of the West, the lesser of the two LA teams shocks the NBA world by not only winning the Kawhi Leonard free agency sweepstakes but also trading an unbelievably large package of players and picks for six-time all-star Paul George.

George and Leonard are the two best “3-and-D” players in the league today making the Los Angeles Clippers one of, if not, the best defensive team in the NBA. The Clippers were one of the best all-around teams in the league without these two superstars, and now they have the leadership to contend.

Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, and Montrezl Harrell provide immense defensive reinforcement and are all great role players who led the team to the playoffs on their own. The Clippers could get off to a shaky start to begin the year, as George is expected to miss the start of the season while he continues to rehab from offseason surgery, but there’s no question that this team, from top to bottom, might be the most complete in the West.

It’ll be tough getting past the other resident of Staples Center but if it were between the two for the Western Conference I’m going with the new-look Clippers to come out on top.