4. The Lakers have more serviceable role players
The purple and gold seem to have built a roster that is chock-full of guys who can come in and contribute in a positive manner. Between Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee, Jared Dudley, Quinn Cook, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Danny Green, Troy Daniels, Alex Caruso and Troy Daniels, the Lakers look like they’re 12-deep right now.
The Clippers also have a nice supporting cast, but when you take a closer look at it, it doesn’t look as deep.
Patrick Beverley is a really nice player who can hit 3s and be a thorn on the side of his opponent. Landry Shamet, coming off his rookie season, looks like a very good three-point shooter. Montrezl Harrell is a feisty two-way player, and former Laker Ivica Zubac will give them some much-needed size (more on that later).
Other than that, they don’t have any role players as of now that they can really count on to contribute consistently. Maurice Harkless and Rodney McGruder haven’t exactly proven themselves to be efficient, reliable shooters by any means, which should negate at least some of the value they do bring to the table.
In addition to several first-round draft picks, the Clippers also surrendered Danilo Gallinari and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to acquire Paul George. Those two guys could’ve really helped them keep pace with the Lakers and all the other teams that will be contenders or near-contenders.
I know what you’re saying: they also have Lou Williams, the reigning two-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year. Very true, but the Lakers also have Kyle Kuzma, who is likely to come off the bench next year, and may be about the equal of Williams as an overall player. Especially if Kuzma rediscovers the three-point touch he started to show as a rookie.