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Los Angeles Clippers now have to worry about the New York Knicks

By Jason Reed

DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 10: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers works the sidelines against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on January 10, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 10: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers works the sidelines against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on January 10, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Clippers, although they are thriving this year, have their eyes set on the 2019 offseason, when the team can hopefully add two stars.

The Los Angeles Clippers have surprised the NBA world this season as the team battles for a spot in the NBA Playoffs in a year that many expected the team to hold a high pick in the lottery.

While the Clippers have fallen off the table a bit and are not as high in the standings as they were earlier in the season, the team is still eighth in the Western Conference and is only four and a half games back of the third seed and a game and a half back of the fifth seed.

It is safe to say that even making the playoffs is a nice surprise for the Los Angeles Clippers. While the team certainly has a talented roster, the biggest focus has been on the Summer of 2019, when the Jerry West and the front office would try their hand at bringing in stars.

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Right now the Los Angeles Clippers have $48.7 million in practical cap space, per Spotrac. That number can move up to over $59 million if the Clippers waive Avery Bradley before July 3.

With some smart financial decisions, the Lois Angeles Clippers can easily get enough money to bring in two stars in a free agent class that is going to be one of the best in recent memory.

Los Angeles now has some competition in terms of cap space, which does pose a pretty big threat to the conceived plan. After trading Kristaps Porzingis and a whole slew of players to the Dallas Mavericks, the New York Knicks have the cap space to go for a home run.

The New York Knicks are looking at $74.5 million in practical cap space this offseason. That is more than enough for two max guys and is an intriguing number for the NBA’s biggest stars.

It isn’t like New York is a small market team, either. New York is the only market bigger than Los Angeles, where the Clippers are unfortunately the second-most popular team by a very, very wide margin.

Not only that but the Knicks have some intriguing pieces to join. Rookie Kevin Knox has shown a ton of potential in his rookie season and the jury is still out on 2017 lottery pick, Frank Ntilikina. Dennis Smith Jr. will be in his third season and is more than capable of being the starting point guard on a title-contending team.

Oh, and the New York Knicks are fully embracing the tank and could land arguably the most anticipated rookie since LeBron James, Zion Williamson.

That is extremely interesting.

Meanwhile, the Clippers have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (who we think is great), a potentially good player in Jerome Robinson, a solid role player in Danilo Gallinari and a great sixth-man in Lou Williams. There is no guarantee that Tobias Harris will return and the only returning center is Montrezl Harrell.

There is a world in which the Clippers and Knicks both get two stars and turn their franchise around. However, there is a better chance that the A+ stars (Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving or Kawhi Leonard) go to New York while the B+ stars (Jimmy Butler, Kemba Walker, Khris Middleton) go to the Clippers.

Clippers could be a sleeper for Anthony Davis. dark. Next

Clipper fans just have to hope that the New York Knicks completely ruin this great finacial situation that they are in. Which, honestly, wouldn’t be surprising considering the Knicks’ track record.

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