In many ways the LA Clippers offseason began at the trade deadline last February when they managed to acquire Norman Powell and Robert Covington from Portland. Add PG John Wall to the mix, acquired in the offseason and you have three hungry and talented veterans capable of shoring up the 6th through 8th spots on the roster. We can also stretch that depth to 11 players when you factor in Luke Kennard, Terrance Mann and Nic Batum.
Those veterans are also more than capable of starting for various stretches as well and when you add in the return of Kawhi Leonard to the mix you have a complete team capable of beating any team in the league on any given night.
It remains to be seen how long it takes Leonard to feel like himself again, as he is now 31-years-old and will have not played a professional game in 15 months. He also hasn’t played more than 60 games in a season in six years.
But when he finds his mojo, he’s a top-five player in this league, recency bias be damned. He showed when he was on Toronto how he’s able to elevate his teammates to a new level and he’ll be counted on to do that this season.
Los Angeles Clippers Season Outlook:
Projected Starting Lineup: PG Reggie Jackson, SG Paul George, SF Kawhi Leonard, PF Marcus Morris Sr., C Ivica Zubac
Head coach: Tyronn Lue
Notable Additions: PG John Wall
Draft Picks: Moussa Diabate (43rd overall)
Clippers Arena: Crypto.com Arena
Clippers NBA Schedule: NBA.com
2022-23 Los Angeles Clippers NBA Futures Odds
- Odds to win the 2023 NBA Championship: 6/1
- Odds to win the 2022-23 Western Conference: +350
- Odds to win the 2022-23 Pacific Division: +180
- 2022-23 Regular Season Win Total: Over 52½ (-130)
- Odds to Make the Playoffs: Yes -2500 | No +850
- Official website: nba.com/clippers
- Twitter Account : @LAClippers
2022-23 Los Angeles Clippers NBA Award Top Contenders
Regular Season MVP: Kawhi Leonard +3000
6th Man OTY: Norman Powell +3500, Luke Kennard +5000
Liev Jackson NBA Season Prediction on Clippers:
I like the Clippers chances to be one of the best teams in the league this year, not only because of Leonard, but because they have a strong culture and a great coach and the remaining core showed last year an ability to play for one another.
The championship is in play in part because this should be one of the best defensive teams in the league that also contains elite scoring in the form of Leonard, Paul George and Reggie Jackson.
If there’s one thing to be wary of it’s the age, with many in the core over 30 years old, so that’s why I don’t love the over on the wins. Expect lots of arranged rest to keep this team healthy for the season that truly counts. But I do like the long odds for some individual awards and they are worth a small investment.
Favorite bets for the season at current odds include:
- Odds to win the 2023 NBA Championship: 6/1
- Odds to win the 2022-23 Western Conference: +350
- Regular Season MVP: Kawhi Leonard +3000
- 6th Man OTY: Norman Powell +3500
2021-22 Record: 42-40
My Record Prediction: 51-31
NBA Odds According to Bovada as of October, 2022
Bet on the Los Angeles Clippers 2022-23 Season at Bovada Sportsbook.
