20-year old Eric Gordon will be the starting shooting guard for the Clippers this season and he is a player on the rise. He played in 78 games for the Clippers last season and he averaged 34.3 minutes, 16.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steal per game. He can score more if the Clippers need him to and that will likely be determined early in the season. 30-year old Rasual Butler will back up at both SG and SF this season for the Clippers. He played in all 82 games for the Hornets last season and he averaged 31.9 minutes, 11.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. Butler is a good shooter from long range as he hit 39% of his three point attempts last season. He should give the Clippers instant offense off the bench. 25-year old Mardy Collins will likely back up at both guard positions for the Clippers this year. Collins played in 48 games for the Knicks and Clippers last season in which he averaged 18.5 minutes, 5.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SHOOTING GUARDS IN 2009-2010: B-