Fansided

5 biggest surprises from ESPN’s NBA win projections

By Ynal Al-Ouri

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 27: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a made basket against the Houston Rockets at the Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 27: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a made basket against the Houston Rockets at the Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Clippers
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 15: Blake Griffin /

2. The Clippers won’t decline much after losing CP3

The Clippers had another impressive 50-win season in 2016-17, but unsurprisingly it came with another early playoff exit. This drove Chris Paul to his limit, and he requested to be traded. He was ultimately dealt to the Houston Rockets for a slew of players, including defensive force Patrick Beverley, and scoring machine Lou Williams.

It certainly wasn’t a bad haul for Paul considering he will be a free agent season, but any team losing a player who is a nine-time NBA All-Star, and a seven-time NBA All-Defensive First Team hurts their chances of improving the following season. The Clippers also lost J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford, who were both vital to their scoring attack the last few seasons. The Clippers were able to salvage their offseason by resigning Blake Griffin, and acquiring Danilo Gallinari from the Denver Nuggets.

ESPN’s projections predicted the Clippers to decline from last season, but not by much. They projected them to still hover around 48 to 49 wins, even though their best player was traded away. Not to say the Clippers don’t have enough talent to make the playoffs, but it’ll be tough for them to replicate last season’s success with their floor general gone, especially in the Western Conference that got astonishingly better this past summer. They are also banking on Blake Griffin staying healthy, which is completely up in the air at this point in his career.

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