2014 Los Angeles Clippers

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, David Kay and Peter Christian of the The Sports Bank. Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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Los Angeles Clippers (Last Year: 57-25)

2013-14 Season Summary:
Whatever the Los Angeles Clippers did on the court this season was overshadowed by the terrible Donald Sterling incident that was leaked during the postseason. Now, there is massive ownership question moving forward that might serve as a distraction for the team moving forward.

In regards to the actual basketball, the Clippers posted the third-best record in the Western Conference but still stumbled in the playoffs failing to get past the semifinals. L.A. has its core of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin intact, but the club needs to improve the depth of the roster in hopes of trying to get over the hump.

2014-15 Projected Depth Chart:

C: DeAndre Jordan

PF: Blake Griffin

SF: Matt Barnes/Jared Dudley

SG: J.J. Redick/Jamal Crawford/#Willie Green/Reggie Bullock

PG: Chris Paul/^Darren Collison

NBA Free Agents:

^PG-Darren Collison (PO)

#SG-Willie Green (TO)

SF-Danny Granger (UFA)

PF-Glenn Davis (UFA)

SF-Hedo Turkoglu (UFA)

C-Ryan Hollins (UFA)

2014-15 Team Salary: Approximately $70.2 million

NBA Offseason Team Needs:

1. Frontcourt Depth: For the second-straight summer, the Clippers have zero depth in their frontcourt behind Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. L.A. signed Glenn Davis late in the season to provide a serviceable option inside, but he is a free agent. Since the Clippers are already well over the salary cap, they only have their mid-level exception or veteran’s minimum to try to find a solid post player to backup Griffin or Jordan. The franchise could also try and dangle Jared Dudley to fill this void.

2. Backup Point Guard: Darren Collison will more than likely opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent since the final year year of deal is worth just slightly less than $2 million. The Clippers must either re-sign Collison to a more lucrative contract or find a cheaper replacement. The latter seems to be the more practical approach.

3. Make a run at LeBron: Is it realistic that James could come to L.A. and join the Clippers, NOT the Lakers. The Clippers need to at least put feelers out there to see if LeBron would sit down at the table and listen to a sales pitch. IF he were interested, a sign-and-trade deal must go down that would have to include either Griffin or Jordan with other pieces.