NBA: One x-factor for every team heading into 2022-23

Dejounte Murray (Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
Dejounte Murray (Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
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Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets Dennis Schroder (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

LA Clippers – John Wall

The LA Clippers are quietly going to return to championship relevance this season. At least that’s the expectation with the return of Kawhi Leonard and, to a certain extent, Paul George. However, the signing of John Wall is also something to keep an eye on.

I’m not sure what role the Clippers have planned for him initially, but if he can be 80 percent of the player he used to be, he could arise as somewhat of an x-factor for the team this season.

Los Angeles Lakers – Dennis Schroder

The Los Angeles Lakers had a slow start to the offseason but signing Dennis Schroder to a prove-it one-year deal could end up being one of the bigger moves of the offseason. Especially if Schroder plays like the player he was in EuroBasket 2022.

Either way, Schroder is the type of player that could help the Lakers get back to contention in the Western Conference this season.