Are the 2020 LA Clippers the best NBA team money can buy?

We break down the LA Clippers roster vs. the rest of the league player-for-player and dollar-for-dollar.

The LA Clippers are officially heading into the 2020 NBA Playoffs as the second seed in the Western Conference. With a record of 48-23 and one seeding game left to play, they are already locked into the best regular-season finish in franchise history. They can now focus their efforts on their attempt to bring the first-ever NBA Championship to the team.

They have made their historic run thanks in part to a deep roster that features top of the line NBA superstars, quality role players, and amazing depth. Many NBA analysts and players believe the Clippers have assembled one of the most talented teams in the league, and their record and results back that up.

But just how good is the Clippers roster?

We wanted to take an in-depth look at each member of the roster and question whether they are the best player money could buy for the price the Clippers are paying them.

In other words, we are going to take a look at every member of the team, their current salary, and ask if we would trade them “straight-up” for any other NBA players in their salary range. For this exercise, we are going to define “salary range” as plus or minus 125% of their current salary (based on trade rules set by the NBA’s salary cap.)

For this exercise, we are going to evaluate each player on an individual basis based on their current salary, level of play, age, and other contributing factors. Positions and “fit” within the Clippers’ current roster are being thrown out the window. Each player will be evaluated in a vacuum purely on a one-for-one basis.

It’s as simple as that. Would we swap the Clippers player straight-up for any of the other players in their salary range?

Let’s get to it.