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Lakers: Ranking the 5 biggest threats in the West after the trade deadline

By Jason Reed

DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 14: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers puts up a shot over Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter at Ball Arena on February 14, 2021 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 - FEBRUARY 14: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers puts up a shot over Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter at Ball Arena on February 14, 2021 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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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Biggest threats to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference: 2. Los Angeles Clippers

Key additions: Rajon Rondo

Now we are getting into teams that could actually defeat the Los Angeles Lakers at full strength. I am not predicting that these teams will beat the Lakers, but I do think that if a few things fall their way, in the right playoff series, both the Los Angeles Clippers and the first team on this list could beat the Lakers in a seven-game playoff series.

The Clippers are an interesting team. If everything is going right for the Clippers then they are one of the toughest teams to match up with in the entire league. They have the best two-way wings in the NBA in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George with several guys around them that can hit open shots and a big man in Ivica Zubac that can hold his own.

If Playoff P does not show up again and the shooters are hitting their shots then the Clippers are a dangerous team. If Playoff P does show up and the shooters are anything but red-hot then the Clippers should be concerned. Quite frankly, they have too many one-way players around Kawhi and George, and that can burn them in the playoffs.

As far as their key addition, I actually liked the Rajon Rondo move for them. It is always fun to tease the Clippers but this was a good move in my opinion. Sure, Rondo has not been great in the regular season but they traded a guy in Lou Williams who is really bad defensively and is not going to be playable against a team like the Lakers.

In return, they got someone who was just the third-best player on a title-winning team. Playoff Rondo is a real thing and even if he does not come out for the Clippers, it is not like Williams was going to make any difference.

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