The Los Angeles Clippers finished last season as the fifth seed in the Western Conference. They lost in the first round in a hard-fought, seven-game series against the Denver Nuggets. Last season, Ivica Zubac was one of their best players. He had a career year, averaging 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game. Hoping to take a step forward and compete during the Kawhi Leonard – James Harden last years, the Clippers made a series of moves in the offseason. And it seems like Zubac loves them.
Clippers Star Loves the Offseason Moves
After finishing second in Most Improved Player of the Year voting, Zubac believes he and the team can take a step forward. Speaking in a recent interview, he said,
“I feel great. The team, I really like the moves that we made. I think the whole team is confident. This roster looks really good on paper. I’m just excited to get it going, for October 1st to start, and to kind of see how it looks in the court, how it plays out. I think we addressed all our weaknesses that we had, and I really like all the moves, so it’s all up to us now.”
After winning 50 games last season, the Clippers added Brook Lopez, Bradley Beal, Chris Paul, and John Collins to their core. The team looks like one of the deepest in the league—but they are also one of the oldest. With their depth, they can probably survive the grind of the regular season. And if they make it healthy to the playoffs, they have a great player in Kawhi who can guide them to the promised land. But theory is one thing, and reality is another. Games are won on the basketball court.
Can the Clippers Win the Title Next Season?
If we look at championship odds, the Clippers have the eighth-best odds to win the title next season at +1800. They have the fifth-best odds among teams from the Western Conference, meaning they are likely in the same spot as last season.
Teams with better odds than them are all four that finished with a better record last season: the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Lakers.
But do not tell that to players in the Clippers locker room. Zubac is not the first one to discuss championship aspirations. Beal, who came to the team after a historic buyout from the Phoenix Suns, recently talked about how he needs to win a title and believes he can do that with the Clippers. He said:
“I need a ring. I want one bad and I feel like I have a new life of rejuvenation, for sure, a new hunger. Excited about the opportunity. New city. New environment, but a hungry environment, too. I’m definitely excited about the opportunity to go win.”
For the Clippers to have a chance, Beal will play an important role. The team is counting on him to fill the void left by Norman Powell. Bradley hasn’t played at an All-Star level since the 2020-21 season. That is also the last season he played in 60+ games. He doesn’t have to average 20+ points, but if he can be a healthy and efficient scorer, the team will have a better chance of competing.
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