5 Realistic Targets for Los Angeles Clippers to Chase in 2015 NBA Free Agency

The Los Angeles Clippers are facing an important summer. DeAndre Jordan is an unrestricted free agent, and head coach Doc Rivers has limited financial options to improve the roster.

For the sake of this piece, we need to discuss all this in the light of the Stephenson trade which occurred last night. Also, we are going to assume the Clippers have re-signed Jordan to a maximum contract and the team will be operating with the taxpayer's mid-level exception. 

Larry Coon, author of the NBA Salary Cap FAQ, describes exactly what this exception entails:

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This exception is available only when a team is above the 'apron' (i.e., with a team salary $4 million or more above the tax line). This determination is made after the exception is used, so a team below the apron must use this exception rather than the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level exception if doing so takes them above the apron.

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Per Coon's guide, this exception will be worth $3.37 million. Outside of that, the Clippers can only offer minimum contracts to free agents.

Now that a baseline has been established, we can explore which five free agents the organization should target this summer. These five players are considered realistic options based on the Clippers' financial restrictions.

Brandon Bass

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

6'8", 250 lbs

2014-15 Salary: $6,900,000

Projected 2015-16 Salary: $3,370,000

Having previously played under Rivers with the Boston Celtics, Brandon Bass would be a logical fit at a position of need for the Clippers.

Although he is average on the glass (12.1 career total rebound percentage), he competes and managed to pull down 4.9 last season in 23.5 minutes per game.

Bass would serve as an upgraded version of Glen Davis, but with a jumper.

His shooting would be an asset in Rivers' offensive system. Bass connected on 45.7 percent of his jumpers between 16 feet and the free-throw line last season. This would allow Rivers to play him off the bench with Blake Griffin or Jordan.

Finally, he is still quick and agile enough to be a solid team defender.

Rivers will have to convince him to play for their $3.37 million exemption, but the familiarity and championship aspirations could make it possible.

Mike Dunleavy

Rocky Widner/Getty Images

6'9", 230 lbs

2014-15 Salary: $3,326,235

Projected 2015-16 Salary: $3,370,000

A position that must be addressed during free agency, the Clippers need a small forward who can either space the floor or defend.

Dunleavy can absolutely shoot and is a solid defender. Last season, the small forward made 40.7 percent of his threes and has connected on 37.6 percent for his career.

Dunleavy is not going to display elite athleticism, but he is a smart team defender and solid on the ball. That explains how he was able to play 31.5 and 29.2 minutes per game for Tom Thibodeau the last two seasons.

Additionally, Rivers would be able to sell Dunleavy on a starting role with the Clippers and at nearly the exact same salary as last season. While not a long-term solution, he would fit quite well in the starting five.

C.J. Watson

Ron Hoskins/Getty Images

6'2", 175 lbs

2014-15 Salary: $2,077,000

Projected 2015-16 Salary: $3,370,000

Although Austin Rivers played memorably during the playoffs, the Clippers need a point guard. C.J. Watson proved he is still a viable option who is capable of spot starting when needed.

The 31-year-old point guard had a career year at the perfect time. He will have plenty of suitors this summer, especially after shooting 40.0 percent from three and recording 5.3 assists per 36 minutes.

A solid defender, Watson would allow Rivers the luxury of playing a strong defensive backcourt without giving up shooting on offense.

Adding another guard to the roster would only complicate things and could lead to a Jamal Crawford trade to fill other needs. However, Watson might be worth it.

Mo Williams

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6'1", 198 lbs

2014-15 Salary: $3,965,074

Projected 2015-16 Salary: $3,370,000

Would Mo Williams be willing to return to the Clippers three years after they dealt him in a three-team trade for Lamar Odom?

Williams certainly would provide the dreadful Clippers bench with some added firepower. Last season, he scored 17.2 points per game in 27 contests with the Charlotte Hornets, in addition to a 52-point performance as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Although he would be an awkward fit off the bench next to Crawford due to his lack of defense, Williams can still run an offense. In fact, he dished out 6.2 assists per game last season.

The Clippers bench needs someone who can create shots for others. Williams can do that and score effectively.

Defensively, he will not improve a unit that needs better defenders on the ball. Still, he would be a bargain for a team in search of more talent and shooting.

Paul Pierce

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

6'7", 235 lbs

2014-15 Salary: $5,305,000

Projected 2015-16 Salary: Veteran minimum ($1,499,187)

There might not be a bigger target for the Clippers this summer than Paul Pierce. He would provide veteran leadership, perimeter shooting and a much needed combo forward. The team could use all three.

Would Pierce be willing to opt out of his contract after his playoff heroics with the Washington Wizards?

According to an interview with SI.com last summer, Pierce mentioned he wanted to play for Rivers and the Clippers:

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I thought a lot about L.A. (in the offseason). My wife wanted to stay there and put the kids in school. It would have been an easier transition for me being with Doc (Rivers), being at home. I think I missed out on that opportunity by waiting to see what Brooklyn was going to do. When they eventually said they weren’t going to make any moves, I missed that boat. That kind of upset me.

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Pierce's career is nearing an end, but he shot an impressive 38.9 percent from three last season and pulled down 4.0 rebounds per game and dished 2.0 assists.

If Rivers can work some magic and convince Pierce to come play in L.A. for the minimum while hunting another championship, it might result in the best move of the summer.

All statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference. Player salary information courtesy of Basketball Insiders. 

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