The Los Angeles Clippers are one of 22 teams that will resume the 2019-2020 NBA season this summer at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. Along with the L.A. Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks, the Clippers are considered to be in the top tier of championship contenders.

Milwaukee has the league’s best defense and reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will likely win the award for a second straight year. LeBron James is the favorite to be the MVP runner-up, and Anthony Davis has been part of the league’s best duo.

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are right up there when it comes to the league’s best pair of teammates. After leading the Toronto Raptors to their first-ever championship, Leonard has been outstanding with 26.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game in his first season with the Clippers. Injuries cost George 22 games, but he was averaging 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists when the season was suspended indefinitely on March 11.

The stars helped lead the Clippers to a 44-20 record and the No.2 seed in the West. They have clinched a playoff berth. The team’s overall depth is the biggest reason for its success.

No NBA team has a deeper roster than the Clippers. Lou Williams (18.7 ppg) and Montrezl Harrell (18.6 ppg) give Los Angeles four players averaging more than 18.5 points.

Williams is a back-to-back Sixth Man of the Year winner. Harrell was third in the voting last season.

Marcus Morris, whom the Clippers acquired at the trade deadline, was averaging 19.6 points per game with the New York Knicks. Reggie Jackson was averaging 14.9 points per contest before the Detroit Pistons traded him to the Clippers.

James and Davis are the only Lakers that even score more than 12.5 points per game. After Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe is the Bucks’ third-leading scorer at 15.4 points per contest.

Landry Shamet is a dangerous shooter, averaging 9.7 points and making 39.2% of his three-pointers. Ivica Zubac is a double-double threat with averages of 8.0 points and 7.2 rebounds. Patrick Beverley is one of the best defensive guards in the league.

Maybe Joakim Noah will make a contribution during the Clippers’ playoff run in Orlando. The veteran signed a 10-day contract with Los Angeles in early March. The veteran has yet to play a game this season.

The NBA is scheduled to resume on July 31. All 22 teams will play eight games before the 16-team playoffs.

Kawhi Leonard Los Angeles Clippers
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers dribbles during a 111-91 Denver Nuggets preseason win at Staples Center on October 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Harry How/Getty Images
RELATED STORIES
Disney+ Basketball