Los Angeles Clippers 2022/2023 Season Preview
The LA Clippers had their 2021/2022 campaign completely derailed by injuries, and failed to make the Playoffs after finishing as the 9th seed and losing both of their Play-In Tournament match-ups. Kawhi Leonard missed the entire season with a torn ACL, while Paul George played only 31 games and missed their final Play-In game against New Orleans in health and safety protocols.
Mid-season acquisition Norman Powell suffered a season ending injury not long after he was acquired from Portland prior to the deadline and sniper Luke Kennard also missed the two most important games of the team’s season after suffering a hamstring injury in their final regular season game.
With that being said, Ty Lue and the Clippers brass will be praying for a clean bill of health for the upcoming season. The team comes back more or less as constructed at the end of last season, minus back-up big Isiah Hartenstein who signed with the Knicks in free agency. Replacing him on the roster is second-round draft pick Moussa Diabate and LA’s major off-season addition, John Wall.
The return of Kawhi Leonard (pictured) in addition to Paul George and the newly acquired John Wall give the Clippers their best ever shot at winning a Championship this season. Credit: The SportsRush
Wall looms as the boom acquisition from the Clippers after being waived by Houston earlier in the off-season, but comes with some large question marks. The dynamic guard didn’t take to the floor at all last season for the Rockets, but in the 40 games he played the year prior, he averaged 20 points and seven assists per contest. If he can contribute even 60% of that output, he will likely take the starting guard spot from scorer Reggie Jackson and the result will be an upgraded starting and reserve unit that oppositions will have to battle every night.
There is no doubt the Clippers have one of, if not the, most talented rosters in the League when healthy. Their plethora of scoring options around their two Superstars are good enough to be first or second options on some mid-tier teams around the Association, and their depth across the roster is hard to top also. It’s this depth that will likely be relied on as history would suggest that health will become a concern at some stage in the season, but with Ty Lue at the helm, the team should be able to comfortably make the post-season and genuinely challenge once there.
The Clippers are rightfully all-in once again this season, backing in Kawhi and George to be healthy enough to lead the team to a deep playoff run. Health is always an issue, and I’d expect the team to rest both of their superstars throughout the regular season to preserve their bodies and allow for players further down the depth chart to see meaningful minutes at times across the season. If things go right, the Clippers could raise their first Larry O’Brien trophy come next June.
Ceiling: 2nd seed
Floor: 6th seed.