NBA: 2022-23 Western Conference pre-season playoff projections

NBA Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
NBA Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
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Kawhi Leonard
LA Clippers Kawhi Leonard (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

2. LA Clippers

This season for the LA Clippers will largely be predicated on how healthy their top two stars can be. That’s probably the biggest reason why the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George era in LA has been largely underwhelming thus far. However, this seems to be the year when it can all come together for the Clippers.

The addition of John Wall this offseason should add another interesting element to this roster that it didn’t have last season. Even though Wall is no longer in the prime of his career, he’s still a player that could add some extra explosion in the backcourt – whether he does start or come off the bench for the team.

I’m not going to predict that Wall is going to be a key component for the Clippers this season, but if he offers any level of production to the team it can completely change their ceiling. The Clippers are a team that is being slightly overlooked, but that could end up being a big mistake.