5. LA Clippers
With Kawhi Leonard expected to return at the start of the season, it’s hard not to consider the LA Clippers as one of the favorites to win the NBA Championship. Of course, he’ll have to prove that he’s healthy and that he can play at a high level again. Assuming that he does, the Clippers may be the best team in the NBA.
At the top, the Clippers have a great duo in Kawhi and Paul George and they also have one of the best-supporting casts surrounding them. LA might be the deepest team in the league and that only makes the team that much more dangerous if Kawhi and PG can remain healthy.
If healthy, you can make an argument that the Clippers should be ranked higher at the start of the season. But until they prove that they can remain healthy and that Kawhi can bounce back from last season, I’m taking a wait-and-see approach with the Clippers.