2015-2016 NBA Preview: Paul, Griffin and Jordan lead reloaded Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers went through what would be one of the craziest and wildest free agency dramas in the history of the NBA. With a verbal agreement already in place with the Dallas Mavericks, centre DeAndre Jordan spurned that Texas team and eventually decided to return to Hollywood and play with stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.

When the controversy was over, the Clippers and Mavericks found themselves going to different directions; Los Angeles, with the help of some other offseason acquisitions, moved up in the Western front as one of the top contenders in the conference while Dallas appears to be a team on semi-rebuilding mode with lots of roster issues to tackle for the upcoming season.

“Lob City” returns to form in the new season with the trio of Paul (19.1 points, 10.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game), Griffin (21.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game) and Jordan (11.5 points, 15.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocked shots per game) expected to lead the high-flying act once again.

Jordan signed a long-term four-year deal worth $87.16 million (approximately AU $120.5 million) with the Clippers, which also signed the likes of Paul Pierce, Josh Smith, Chuck Hayes, Pablo Prigioni and Cole Aldridge in free agency. The team also acquired the talented but temperamental Lance Stephenson in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets.

After convincing Jordan to stay, it was clear that surrounding their three key stars with able role players was the way to stay competitive in the cutthroat competition out West, which feature title-contenders like the San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets.

The biggest acquisition for the Clippers is veteran Paul Pierce, who will provide leadership poise especially in the postseason where the Clippers have struggled the past few years. The 18-year veteran averaged 11.9 points and 4.0 rebounds per game last season with the Washington Wizards.

Two more experienced players joined the Clippers in the offseason; Stephenson (8.2 points per game), who had a disappointing stint with the Hornets last year and Smith (12.4 points per game), who is expected to be Griffin’s primary back-up in Clippers’ high-octane offence.

2015-2016 Los Angeles Clippers Projected Depth Chart:
Point Guards: Chris Paul/Austin Rivers/Pablo Prigioni
Shooting Guards: J.J Redick/Jamal Crawford/Lance Stephenson/C.J. Wilcox
Small Forwards: Wes Johnson/Paul Pierce
Power Forwards: Blake Griffin/Josh Smith
Centers: DeAndre Jordan/Cole Aldrich/Chuck Hayes

Other 2015-2016 NBA Season Team Previews:
Playoffs a tough task for rebuilding LA Lakers
Toronto Raptors expect growth from DeMar DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas
Make-or-break season for OKC Thunder, Durant and Westbrook

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