'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2 Atlanta Hawks
Following a promising start to the season, the Atlanta Hawks soon plummeted towards the bottom of the Eastern Conference despite the standout performances of Trae Young. Atlanta's low point came following a 130-118 home loss to the Brooklyn Nets back in December which led to an emotional locker room scene involving Young.
In the aftermath, the Hawks front office promised the emerging superstar that improvements to the roster would come, and Atlanta has since pulled off deals for Jeff Teague, Dewayne Dedmon, and most notably, Clint Capela. After appeasing Young, the Hawks can now focus on building chemistry and momentum for the remainder of the season, before pushing for a playoff spot next year.
#1 Los Angeles Clippers
The LA Clippers entered the season as the favorites to be crowned champions after pulling off a stunning double offseason move to sign Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Nevertheless, an ambitious Clippers front office has stayed active throughout the season, and the team recently bolstered their prospects by completing a trade for Marcus Morris, before also adding Reggie Jackson following his buyout from the Detroit Pistons.
Morris averaged 19.8 points on 43.9 percent shooting from the beyond the arc over 43 appearances with the Knicks, while Jackson managed 14.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists for the Pistons. Admittedly, the Clippers are still underperforming (3rd in the West), although they now possess the undisputed best roster in the NBA, and are the favorites to lift the trophy in June.
