The most important player on each and every NBA team this season

By Ti Windisch | Aug 28, 2018

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defended by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 12: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the LA Clippers works against DeMarre Carroll #9 of the Brooklyn Nets in the third quarter during their game at Barclays Center on February 12, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

LA Clippers — Danilo Gallinari

The LA Clippers are a team in a somewhat complicated place. The Clippers have some interesting young players they selected in the 2018 NBA Draft, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson should both end up dictating quite a bit about the team’s future.

There are still plenty of veteran players in LA who will want to win, and they might be able to do so if they can all stay healthy. Tobias Harris has been a pretty consistent performer, but Danilo Gallinari missed a lot of his first season with the Clippers. If Gallo can stay on the court, these Clippers could actually be a playoff contender.

LA can start Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Harris, Gallo, and Marcin Gortat. That lineup is without a superstar, but it’s packed with competitive, skilled players who would all find playing time on virtually any other team. If Doc Rivers can coach up this group as well as he did last season, the Clippers could knock on the door.

Gallinari feels like the most important factor in that happening, or not happening. He averaged nearly 19 points per game across his two last Denver Nuggets seasons, on 37.8 percent shooting from deep. Gallo is quite the scoring weapon when he’s right.

The Clippers are not tanking. With Jerry West on board in the front office, that could be because LA is seeking to add a star and move from mid-tier to contending without a total tear-down. Whether it’s because he elevates the team or because he’s a big-time trade chip, Gallo will play a big role in that goal.

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