- The Los Angeles Clippers are a contending team which is appealing to free agents
- There are a number of good players that are still free agents
- Christian Wood, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Danny Green are options
Even though the free agency period is largely over, and most teams have the players that they need, there are still some solid players who are free agents as of right now. They would likely be willing to sign with teams for the veteran minimum, and would obviously prioritize teams that can be competitive immediately.
The Los Angeles Clippers are a team that has two stars in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and many believe that they can be a contender if they remain healthy. They are also located in Los Angeles, which could also be an appeal for potential free agents.
In this article, we will discuss three potential free agents that could be difference-makers for the Los Angeles Clippers. There is no doubt that these players are solid options on the veteran minimum for what they provide. Without further ado, here are the 3 best players the Clippers can sign on the veteran minimum.
3. Danny Green
Danny Green is a solid 3 and D player who has championship experience both with the Toronto Raptors and the San Antonio Spurs. He was teammates with Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell in Toronto, so there would be some familiarity there. Though he may not be the All-Defensive wing that he once was, he is still a solid low-minute option who can provide shooting in a pinch. His leadership would also be welcome in the Los Angeles Clippers locker room.
This past season, Danny Green averaged 5.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game in 12 games after coming back from his torn ACL injury that he sustained during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers. During that time span, Green also shot 43.2% from 3PT range, and it is clear that his shooting has not fallen off after his injury.
At his worst, Danny Green will be able to soak up minutes during the regular season for the Los Angeles Clippers and provide 3PT shooting. It would be interesting to see if coach Ty Lue would trust him in the playoffs due to his championship experience however, and some spot minutes in the postseason are also a possibility. There is virtually no downside to acquiring Danny Green on the veteran minimum, and we’ll see whether the Clippers sign him in the future.
2. Christian Wood
Christian Wood is a talented big man who has remained unsigned throughout the free agency process. He is gifted on the offensive side of the ball and at rebounding, though it is fair to say that his defense leaves a lot to be desired.
This past season with the Dallas Mavericks, Christian Wood averaged 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 37.6% from 3PT range. It is clear that he is a true floor-spacing big man, and he could provide a new dynamic for the Los Angeles Clippers offensively. In theory, he would start in the frontcourt next to center Ivica Zubac and give the team more size at the PF position. Wood would also make things easier for Russell Westbrook, who requires a spaced-out floor to be at his best.
The concern with Christian Wood is quite possibly his presence in the locker room. NBA insider Dan Woike previously revealed that teams are hesitant to sign Christian Wood due to “concerns about his professionalism”, and it is easy to see why that would deter a lot of teams. Still, no NBA championships are won without taking risks. On the veteran minimum, Wood’s production is far too good to pass up.
It would be interesting to see whether the Los Angeles Clippers will contact Christian Wood’s camp in the future. Though he will likely sign for the veteran minimum, there is also some potential for him to sign a longer deal via sign-and-trade, with the Clippers having to send out a veteran like Robert Covington to the Mavericks.
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Kelly Oubre Jr. has shown that he is a solid sixth-man type wing during his time with the Charlotte Hornets. He is a solid slasher, occasionally has hot streaks from the 3PT range, and is willing to play perimeter defense and guard multiple positions. His playstyle is erratic, but on the veteran minimum, Kelly Oubre Jr. could be a worthy gamble.
Last season, Kelly Oubre Jr. averaged 20.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals for the Charlotte Hornets. Though his production looks great on the surface, he was highly inefficient in getting his numbers, only shooting 43.1% from the field and 31.9% from the 3PT range. He also took 17.1 shots a game, and it is highly unlikely that he would get the same amount of shots on the Los Angeles Clippers.
The key reason for the Los Angeles Clippers to potentially get Kelly Oubre Jr. is to get a wing defender who can provide supplementary scoring for the squad. If he can buy into a two-way role for the team, improve his shot selection, and focus on playing off of the team’s stars rather than being a focal point, then Oubre Jr. can be a highly successful role player for the team.
On the veteran minimum, Kelly Oubre Jr. should be a no-brainer acquisition for any contending team. Even if the team doesn’t use him as an offensive player, he is still a good defensive player with the size and athleticism to guard multiple positions. The Los Angeles Clippers should pounce on the opportunity to get him before it is too late, and we’ll see if they do so at some point before the start of the season.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
