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NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Every team’s best case scenario

By John Hugar

SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Clippers

Hey look, it’s another Potential Jimmy Butler Team! See, these types of variables don’t make my job easy, but really, the Clippers are a tough team to get a handle on anyway. They were supposed to fall to earth last year, but while they missed the playoffs, they hardly collapsed, and Lou Williams put together one of the best seasons by a sixth man ever, and frankly, should have been an All-Star.

But can they keep the momentum going? DeAndre Jordan has been replaced with Marcin Gortat who is….not as good (I’m Polish, so it hurts to say that), and while Williams was impressive last season, he’s going into year 14, and who knows how longer he’ll be able to do this (but hey, Jamal Crawford is still kicking). If Butler doesn’t show up, it’s not unreasonable to think this team takes a step-backward.

What gives the franchise some hope? A potential steal of a draft pick in Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, who might prove to be the best point guard in this year’s class, as well as two of the best defensive guards in the league in Patrick Beverley and Avery Bradley. The Clippers will be a hungry team with an edge, and while they’re playing in the tough Western Conference, they should be able to at least hover around the 35-win area, with Gilgeous-Alexander giving them the promise of something better in the future.