Even though Harden and Westbrook are not at their prime anymore, the level of scoring and playmaking on this team is going to be nuts and they also managed to retain their depth after the trade as well. Assuming the big 4 is healthy come playoffs, do they have a good shot of making it out of the west and contend against the celtics/bucks?
If you asked me yesterday if the Clippers could beat any of those Tier 1 contenders (Nuggets, Suns, Celtics, Bucks, etc.) in a 7 game series, I would’ve told you no without hesitating. Now, I would say they likely wouldn’t be favored in those series, but they can’t be completely dismissed in them. They have well above a puncher’s chance now.