LA Clippers
It seems like every year since they acquired Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, they are one of the few favorites to win the Western Conference, and as they should be. Both players are some of the most talented two-way players in the game but health has always been a factor with this group. And heading into 2023-24, it’s the one big factor that could once again stand in the way of the Clippers making a deep playoff run.
Both Leonard and Paul as a duo have either come up short such as the 2020 series against the Nuggets where they blew a 3-1 lead, or missed major time in the playoffs due to injury. Paul missed the entire playoffs this last season and Kawhi got injured midway through their first-round series against the Suns.
The clock is ticking with the group especially with the new CBA making it harder for owners such as Steve Balmer to spend large amounts of money into the luxury tax as he has in the past. This season is a make-or-break season for this duo. And the good news is that they’re at least entering the year fully healthy.