Hoop-Ball’s Post-Mortem series takes a look at the 2016-17 season and what went right and wrong for every team. From coaching analysis to fantasy impact, we dive in to the year that was and make sense of it all. If you’ve missed any, you can find them here.

Different season, same results. The Clippers found themselves in the same situation as they did last year, finishing fourth in the Western Conference with a 51-31 record. They were also hit with plenty of injuries during the season and into the playoffs, resulting in another first-round exit. With so many glaring problems on this team, Hoop-Ball’s Post-Mortem series takes a look at what happened in Lob City.

OVERVIEW

Unlike the DeAndre Jordan fiasco the Clippers had the year before, this offseason was very dull in comparison. Doc Rivers knew that once again, one of their biggest issues going into the season was bench depth, so they decided to sign Raymond Felton as a backup guard, while also nabbing Marreese Speights away from the Warriors. Although these may not have been the biggest signings, it certainly added some depth to the team as they looked to contend for the title again.

The Clippers had relatively the same roster heading into the season, but that can’t be said about their rivals out in the Western Conference. Their road to the title got a lot harder as the Warriors added former MVP Kevin Durant, the Rockets handed over the point guard duties to James Harden and surrounded him with shooters, the Spurs were the Spurs and the Jazz added a veteran point guard in George Hill. It was a competitive season in the West as teams were battling back and forth for higher seeding and home court advantage. The Clippers did manage to secure home court advantage in the first-round by finishing fourth overall, but not without bumps and bruises along the way.

Right on cue, Blake Griffin goes down with a right knee injury in December that required surgery and kept the star out until late January. Fans remained optimistic as it was during the regular season and they’ve also been through periods with Blake before. As he was about to return from his injury, Chris Paul goes down with a torn ligament in his left thumb that sidelined him until late February. With both stars finally healthy for the second half of the season, the Clippers were hoping that the worst was behind them and brighter days were ahead… boy were they wrong.

With the series tied 1-1 against the Utah Jazz in the first-round, Griffin suffered an injury to the plantar plate of his right big toe during Game 3 and was ruled out for the remainder of the NBA Playoffs. Just like that, the tide swung and CP3 was unable to carry the team past a tenacious Jazz squad. If you don’t believe in the Clippers Curse, maybe you do now. The team faced free agency for its biggest stars, and ultimately will rebuild the squad around Griffin with CP3 deciding to try to win a title elsewhere. It was the biggest offseason in the franchise’s history and it looks like a period of immense change for the Clippers.

Coaching

Doc Rivers was certainly on the hot seat this season and it was for good reason. He has always had success during the regular season but has yet to live up to the hype during the NBA Playoffs. He has yet to win another title since doing the job with the Celtics in 2007-08 and it doesn’t look like he’s getting any closer with the way this team is built. Doc Rivers the GM has yet to make any significant signings, while Doc Rivers the coach continues to have questionable rotations and strategies.

Former NBA players have come out and stated that Rivers is an overrated coach that isn’t able to control the egos in his own locker room. From Glen “Big Baby” Davis to Paul Pierce, players have said that he can rub guys the wrong way and would often bump heads with his players. Many have questioned the contract that he gave his son, Austin Rivers, and lost a bit of respect for him. The inconvenient injuries that have plagued promising postseason runs may be the only reason he remains with the team today.

Doc was a busy man this offseason but couldn’t re-sign both stars. The Clippers revamped their depth in the Paul trade, but it’s a motley crew that will now surround an imbalanced core. Some believe it would be better if he just stuck to being the head coach and left GM duties to someone else. Regardless of what happens, Rivers will continue to be on the hot seat and this may very well be his last season. With a new arena being built for the Clippers and the Lakers on the rise once again, Steve Ballmer’s patience is surely growing thinner by the day.

The Players

Chris Paul

ADP: 8/10 (ESPN/Yahoo), Total Value: 25/25 (8/9 cat), Per-Game Value: 10/9 (8/9 cat), Games Played: 61

Paul has spent the last six seasons with the Clippers, where he has continuously led his team by example, making them contenders year-in and year-out. Despite being a top point guard in the NBA, he has yet to taste success in the postseason, getting only as far as the Western Conference Semifinals. He once again put up spectacular numbers, averaging 18.1 points per game, 5 rebounds per game, 9.2 assists per game, 2.0 treys per game and 1.9 steals per game. The Point God was able to do all of this while averaging just 2.4 turnovers per game, showing us he remains one of the best floor generals in the NBA and should be a fantasy monster once again next season.

The Clippers failed to make it out of the first round for the second straight year and injuries once again played a big part in that. Not long after their elimination, rumors began to surface as to whether or not he would ever be in a Clippers uniform again. Paul appeared to grow tired with the “playoff choker” label and decided he wanted to hit the reset button.

He informed all parties of his intentions to join the Houston Rockets and was traded by the Clippers for Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker and a 2018 first-round pick, amongst other pieces. Paul informed the team about his decision and gave them an opportunity to trade him away instead of losing him for nothing. It was reported that the Clippers were not committed to giving Paul a five-year deal, which may have been a factor in his decision. CP3 had a strong desire to play with James Harden and it’ll be interesting to see how this backcourt will work. Harden had a terrific year running the point, but the number of open shots he’ll get playing alongside Paul is hardly a negative. There could be some adjustments as the two learn to share the ball and work together but they should be able to make each other’s lives easier on the court. It goes without saying, but the “Point God” will still warrant a early round pick in all draft formats.

Blake Griffin

ADP: 21/29 (ESPN/Yahoo), Total Value: 66/67 (8/9 cat), Per-Game Value: 40/42 (8/9 cat), Games Played: 61

Blake has been with the Clippers for his entire career, and decided to keep it that way this summer. He signed a five-year, $173 million deal despite plenty of interest around the league and will now be LA’s centerpiece. Griffin hasn’t been the most durable star in the last couple of years, from breaking his hand to injuring his right big toe in the playoffs this season. He was ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs after injuring the plantar plate of his right big toe during Game 3, essentially ending any hopes LA had of making a serious run. The people of Los Angeles were certainly not pleased with how things ended, but he’ll be The Guy going forward.

Blake played just 61 games this season and finished with a respectable 21.6 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, 4.9 assists per game and 1.0 steals per game. Although his numbers are solid, his impact on the game isn’t like what it used to be. The high-flyer has continued to settle for jumpers instead of driving and playing near the rim. He’s had the benefit of playing alongside CP3, allowing to him get those open shots in pick-and-pop situations. We’ll see how that changes, and the tradeoff for all that extra usage is likely to be tougher shots.

Of course, Griffin should still be able to deliver top-50 numbers for owners even if his efficiency declines. He will be their number one option on offense and will also have more ball-handling duties now that CP3 is out the door. BG has already shown improved playmaking in recent years and he’s a safe bet to see spikes in scoring and assists. Griffin has the ability to put up monstrous numbers but considering how injury-prone he is, it’ll be a risky pick for owners who take him in rounds two or three.

DeAndre Jordan

ADP: 32/42 (ESPN/Yahoo), Total Value: 41/37 (8/9 cat), Per-Game Value: 59/50 (8/9 cat), Games Played: 81

There were talks of D.J. expanding his game entering the season but after everything was all said and done, nothing has changed. Jordan averaged the same amount of points per game as he did last season with 12.7 to go along with 13.8 rebounds per game and 1.7 blocks per game. His number of blocks took a dip this season while his free throw percentage remains abysmal at 48.2 percent. He fit in perfectly as the third-wheel on this team but the Clippers were hoping for more. Unless he develops an inside game or a go-to move, these are the types of numbers you can expect from him once again next season.

With Paul gone, Jordan may find his easy buckets a bit less frequently. Though newcomer Milos Teodosic is a polished passer, there won’t be as many lobs and open looks for him, while his abilities are too limited to be the number one option on any team. To make things worse, teams still have the option of implementing the “Hack-a-Shaq” technique on the big man. It seems as though Doc realizes the situation and has “gauged the market” on potentially trading the big man. For now, that seems unlikely as the Clippers will really rely on his defensive prowess in this transition year.

He might see an increase in scoring this year but could also see a few points shaved off his field goal percentage. Jordan’s value really depends on your roster. If you’re punting, he’s a top-20 play. If you’re not, it’s going to be nigh impossible for him to return profit given his lofty ADP.

J.J. Redick

ADP: 88/91 (ESPN/Yahoo), Total Value: 78/74 (8/9 cat), Per-Game Value: 105/99 (8/9 cat), Games Played: 78

J.J. Redick continues to be an elite marksman and 3-point specialist in the NBA and did his best to spread the floor for the Clippers once again this season. He hit a grand total of 201 treys this season and unsurprisingly led his team in this category. Throughout the season, Redick called out the Clippers on multiple occasions for their effort and “chemistry.” He didn’t believe they’re getting any closer to winning a championship and reportedly saw little progress from the team.

With the team’s priorities elsewhere, Redick was able to scan the free agent market to find a suitable fit. He and the Sixers agreed to a one-year, $23 million deal. Just like that, another player has decided to trust the process. He didn’t receive the multi-year deal that provides security for him, but he did get to walk away from a situation that he wasn’t happy with. The Sixers needed outside shooting and there are very few better than Redick. He’s a great veteran presence for this young squad and should have a stable role as the Sixers’ lacked consistent play from their twos last year. He’ll remain a 3-point specialist, and should be around these numbers again.

Jamal Crawford

ADP: 110/132 (ESPN/Yahoo), Total Value: 136/168 (8/9 cat), Per-Game Value: 181/221 (8/9 cat), Games Played: 82

Jamal Crawford remained the Clippers’ reliable sixth man and can still boogie on anyone in the league despite his age. He did take a step back this year in his points total, averaging just 12.3 points per game to go along with 2.6 assists and 1.4 triples on 41.3 percent shooting from the field.

Now in Minnesota, Crawford’s role won’t change but his touches might. He’ll be playing alongside some high-minute, high-usage players on the wing with a team that won’t be as good at spreading the ball around. He should buoy the second units for the Wolves but might not get a ton of time to carry the scoring load on his own. J Crossover is a late-round pick at best in standard leagues.

Austin Rivers

ADP: N/A /N/A (ESPN/Yahoo), Total Value: 187/202 (8/9 cat), Per-Game Value: 214/239 (8/9 cat), Games Played: 74

Despite being a role player, Rivers is probably one of the most talked about players on the Clippers due to his relationship with coach and GM Doc Rivers. Many had thought his NBA time was coming to an end until his father recruited him to L.A., resurrecting his career. He was offered a three-year, $42 million dollar contract just last season that many people had a problem with. He has spent quite a bit of time defending his father and responding to critics as of late. Rivers has turned into a solid role player and might be looking at a bigger role next season. The Clippers do have a deeper squad this year, however, so he’s unlikely to be a primary scorer in the second unit. He’s not a great fantasy target.

Luc Mbah a Moute

ADP: N/A /N/A (ESPN/Yahoo), Total Value: 185/165 (8/9 cat), Per-Game Value: 239/210 (8/9 cat), Games Played: 80

Luc Mbah a Moute was the starting small forward for the majority of the season and didn’t do much to help his fantasy value. He averaged just 6.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 steals in roughly 22 minutes per game, and signed a cheap deal with the Rockets. He’s a good veteran to have in a locker room, but he shouldn’t be a starter and is unlikely to make a fantasy impact on a crowded Rockets roster.

Marreese Speights

ADP: N/A /N/A (ESPN/Yahoo), Total Value: 142/132 (8/9 cat), Per-Game Value: 200/182 (8/9 cat), Games Played: 82

Speights joined the Clippers in hopes of chasing another ring after being let go by the Warriors, but that didn’t go as planned. The veteran big man wasn’t given a big enough role on the Clippers and is actually a nice per-minute guy, averaging 8.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 0.5 blocks and 1.3 treys in 15.7 minutes per game. He opted to decline his player option that would have paid just $1.4 million next season, instead signing a minimum deal in Orlando. It was short of the mid-level exception that Mo Buckets was after but his skillset is one that the Magic need. Unfortunately for him, there are plenty of bigs on the roster and he won’t be a key piece. He’ll be worth a look in case of injury but is only a play in the deepest of leagues in his reserve role.

Doctor’s Orders

The Clippers are going to look very different after a busy offseason. CP3 walked off to Houston and J.J. Redick has chosen to trust the process, leaving the Clippers as firmly under the leadership of Blake Griffin. Injuries really robbed the Lob City core of a real title run, though it has to be considered the most successful era in franchise history. Doc Rivers will certainly be in the hot seat and we could see him removed if the season doesn’t start off well. With a billionaire owner willing to spend money to win, it’ll be up to management to pick up the right pieces for the future. Danilo Gallinari was a good start, as his range and versatility will certainly help a team that’s now centered on paint dwellers. The team also has a new starting point guard in Patrick Beverley (or perhaps Milos Teodosic?), as well as more depth with Lou Williams, Willie Reed, Montrezl Harrell and Sam Dekker added to the mix. There’s an interesting assemblage of talent in L.A., and while they’re unlikely to be as powerful as their previous iterations the Clippers should still be in the playoff picture. Paul’s decision to leave has forced the team into a retool on the fly, and we’ll just have to wait and see how the team builds around Blake Griffin going forward.