L.A. Clippers: Predicting Every Starter for 2012-13 Season

Some familiar faces will be back starting for the Clippers in 2013.
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The Los Angeles Clippers had one of the most electrifying starting lineups in all of basketball during the 2012 season.

Led by newly acquired superstar point guard Chris Paul, the Clips took the nickname "Lob City" and ran with it—usually all the way down the court for a slam dunk.

After enjoying some rare success last season, the Clippers will have to reshuffle their deck heading into 2013. 

That's because six players from last year's squad are unrestricted free agents this offseason. L.A. may have a fresh crew coming aboard next year as they embark on a journey towards a first-ever NBA Finals.

Here's a quick look at who has the inside track on a starting slot for the Clippers in 2013.

Point Guard: Chris Paul

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As if there was any doubt to who the starting point guard would be.

Chris Paul will look to build on a season in which he finished third in MVP voting and take the Clippers deeper into the playoffs in his second year in L.A.

Shooting Guard: Nick Young

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The Clippers went nearly the entire season in 2012 without even one legitimate shooting guard on their roster. 

That changed when they traded for Nick Young at the deadline, but Young came off the bench in his brief stint with the Clippers last year.

Young is one of L.A.'s unrestricted free agents, as are Chauncey Billups and Randy Foye, the two players who started at the 2 for the Clips last season.

The Clippers will want to retain Young and further integrate his scoring abilities into their lineup.

Small Forward: Caron Butler

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Though he's past his prime, Caron Butler is still a solid veteran presence with plenty of playoff experience under his belt.

He's also getting paid $8 million a year and is the only true small forward on the roster who was in Vinny Del Negro's rotation last year. Butler is as safe a bet as any to be in the starting five.

Power Forward: Blake Griffin

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One of the NBA's rising stars, Blake Griffin will take another step forward in 2013 as L.A.'s starting power forward.

Considering he was named to the All-NBA Second team in just his second season, the ceiling is immensely high for this dunking dynamo.

Center: DeAndre Jordan

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DeAndre Jordan had an up-and-down 2012, his first season manning the middle for the Clippers on a full-time basis.

Since he just cashed in on a huge contract extension before the start of last year, you know the team is committed to turning Jordan's raw ability into a legitimate, productive starting NBA center.