Mid-Season Report Card: Clippers

No one in the NBA world needs to make a case for the Clippers until they get out of the second round. When will it happen?

Of course the Clippers are contenders

Regardless of the very well-known playoff curse, the Clippers have a great roster that makes them scary come playoff time. They're playing fine, and Kawhi and PG have looked sharp thus far.

Their roster wasn't exactly bolstered following their meltdown against Denver in the Bubble, and Luke Kennard isn't playing at the level of his contract. Maybe their locker room has improved, though. Who knows? Is Ty Lue actually improving those lack of adjustments that Paul Georges sounded off Doc Rivers for? That remains to be seen, and for that reason one cannot judge the Clippers until playoff time comes and they either do or don't prove the doubters wrong.

Matchups

Should the Clips face Damian Lillard and the Blazers in the first round, they should be able to expose Portland's defense, but beware of the greatest clutch-time scorer this year, he could give Rip City a chance.

Assuming the Lakers don't fall more in the standings, the most likely meeting between the two LA teams would come in the second round. The Clippers still don't have an answer for AD, but the Lakers struggles on offense would also allow the Clips to capitalize. Maybe we can finally get the never-before-seen hallway series that the world longed for in 2019-20.

LA matches up pretty well with Phoenix, but Utah's shooting and overall offensive firepower would be problematic for the Clippers should they match up in May/June.

Deadline

The Clippers don't have any draft assets to give away, and their hunt will be much like the Lakers' come trade deadline time: in the buyout market. Drummond could be a good backup center should Cleveland buy him out, and veterans like PJ Tucker are always good for a contender.

Maybe they could reunite Kawhi and Ibaka with Danny Green if Philly opts to move him. He could be the good luck charm for the Clippers considering he's won the last two titles.

Grade:

B