Areas of Strength:
Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon provide great hope for the future, and that jumps even more if DeAndre Jordan builds on such a promising 2010-11 that it could convince the Clippers to trade Chris Kaman. Though often overlooked as the mania developed around Griffin, the Clips are a good defensive team despite being young.

Needs Work:
The age thing again. No matter how encouraging it is in short bursts, the roster still needs the experience of a playoff hunt and the postseason itself for real forging moments. Part of that is not wasting opportunities, and the Clips do too much of that. Until they get a lot better in that category, turnovers will be their undoing in close games down the stretch.

Two Stats That Matter:
82 -- Coming off a knee injury that cost him all 2009-10 and made his health a major issue, Griffin played every game in 2010-11.

10 -- Jordan's ranking among league leaders in blocks despite averaging just 25.6 minutes per outing.

The Way To Go:
Getting the pick back from the Cavaliers that became No. 1 overall. That would be one way to go. Short of that, the Clippers know they will not find immediate answers in the Draft at 37 and 47. (Wanting to get away from the youth movement was one reason they traded the choice to Cleveland in the Baron Davis-Mo Williams deal.) Their shopping will come in free agency and via trades.

Team Stats:
Offensive ratings: 101.8 (23rd)
Defensive ratings: 106.3 (19th)

Under Contract:
G: Maurice Williams
G: Eric Gordon
G: Eric Bledsoe
G: Randy Foye
F: Blake Griffin
F: Al-Farouq Aminu
F: Brian Cook (player option)
F: Ryan Gomes
C: DeAndre Jordan
C: Chris Kaman

Free Agents:
F: Ike Diogu (Unrestricted)
F: Jamario Moon (Unrestricted)
F: Craig Smith (Unrestricted)

-- Scott Howard-Cooper