NBA: 8 big takeaways from the 2022 trade deadline

The LA Clippers are preparing for a return to contender status next season

The LA Clippers may or may not make the playoffs this season in the Western Conference, but one thing is clear based on the moves that they made at the NBA Trade Deadline – this team has high hopes of returning to contender status next season.

The Clippers acquired Norman Powell and Robert Covington from the Blazers before the trade deadline and I can’t help but think of how good these moves are going to look when Kawhi Leonard and Paul George both return from injury next season.

There’s a chance PG returns this season but without Kawhi there’s no way this team can contend with how top-heavy the Western Conference currently is. The Clippers are going to be one of the deepest teams in the league next season.