Help-Wanted Ad for Los Angeles Clippers' Backup Center Position
Considering last week's trade of Spencer Hawes and Matt Barnes for Lance Stephenson—one I made a case for back in December—the Los Angeles Clippers are now in the market for a reserve center. More importantly, this center should hopefully have the flexibility of playing power forward as well, much like Hawes.
The Clippers have limited options to address the holes in their roster (small forward, reserve point guard, power forward/center, youth), but this is a position that needs attention. The team might as well put out a help-wanted ad, because they should receive plenty of interest from free agents look to join a title contender this summer.
Projecting whom the team should sign and what type of player they should target requires some closure on DeAndre Jordan. I will assume—for the sake of discussion—that Jordan re-signs with the franchise, allowing this analysis to "take place" with him already in the fold.
Overview of Assets and Spending Options
Unfortunately, the Clippers are armed with very few options to add talent to the roster this summer.
Since we are assuming that Jordan re-signs, the team will likely have the taxpayer's mid-level exception available. This exception is worth $3.376 million in the first year of the contract.
Outside of this exception, the team will only be able to sign free agents to minimum contracts.
Finally, Doc Rivers' last option would be to configure a trade. Any deal would likely be built around Jamal Crawford and possibly C.J. Wilcox.
Crawford's contract is only partially guaranteed for $1.5 million until July 1. The Clippers may be able to negotiate an extension on this guarantee, pushing the date back further into July. This allows Rivers time to shop him into free agency, using him in a sign-and-trade scenario and also giving the team that acquires him time to make a decision on waiving him or not.
Traits Required
While the Clippers could attempt to use Crawford in a trade for a player who can masquerade as a power forward and center, they could also use him in a sign-and-trade for a free-agent center. There certainly are plenty of bigs available as free agents this summer, such Andrea Bargnani, Brandon Wright and Robin Lopez.
Rivers must decide what type of center he targets.
Does he try to trade for someone familiar like Brandon Bass and play him off the bench in a hybrid role of Spencer Hawes and Glen Davis?
Will he search for a rim-protector to shore up his porous bench defense?
Does he attempt to mix a bit of offense with some shot-blocking?
Rivers must decide, but all three types of players would be beneficial. The team's bench needs athleticism, defense and shooting. As long as Rivers can implement whatever big he signs this summer into his system (Hawes failed in this regard), the traits and skills said player brings to the table will be less important.
The franchise needs a legitimate third big who can spell Jordan and/or Griffin. Considering the financial restrictions the team is operating under, Rivers must choose wisely.
Players to Target
There will be quite a few names associated with the Clippers, but these next three offer the best value, fit and are realistic targets for the team's $3.37 exception:
Kevin Garnett - 6'11", 253 lbs, Unrestricted Free Agent
An unlikely signing after being dealt back to the Minnesota Timberwolves last season in exchange for Thaddeus Young. Garnett is actually helping the Timerbwolves with their draft, which makes it unlikely he leaves, considering his role with the franchise. However, if any team could lure Garnett away, it would be the Clippers.
Garnett is very familiar with Rivers due to their stint together with the Boston Celtics. He also has a home in Malibu, which would make it an easy transition. Finally, the Clippers have been heavily linked to Paul Pierce, and many expect him to sign there this summer.
Garnett would be an ideal fit. His ability to stretch the floor and connect on elbow-extended jumpers would allow him to play next to Jordan.
Meanwhile, his defense would be exactly what Rivers has been searching for from a third big. According to ESPN, Garnett finished 10th among power forwards in defensive real plus-minus.
Alexis Ajinca - 7'2", 248 lbs, Unrestricted Free Agent
Last season Rivers had to rely on Hawes and Davis as their bigs off the bench. Neither player provided much defensively, and the front office could be looking for more rim protection this year.
Ajinca has long arms and is an above-average shot-blocker. He recorded 51 blocks in 68 games, playing only 14.1 minutes per game.
Additionally, Ajinca can impact the offensive glass thanks to his size and length. This could be especially important off the bench, as Rivers typically emphasizes getting back defensively and not crashing the glass. Ajinca could provide tip outs off misses, creating extra possessions without sending additional men to the glass.
Jason Smith - 7'0", 245 lbs, Unrestricted Free Agent
Having signed with the New York Knicks for the taxpayer exception two seasons ago, Jason Smith's talents are still worth that price and perhaps even as low as the veteran minimum.
However, Smith would be able to provide a little bit of everything.
He is a solid mid-range shooter, connecting on 44.2 percent of his jumpers from 16 feet out to the three-point line for his career.
He also is a decent rebounder (career 7.4 per 36 minutes) and provides some rim protection (1.3 blocks per 36).
Overall, Rivers will have plenty of reserve centers to choose from this summer.
Again, the team needs someone who can integrate into the offense and defensive systems. Perhaps it would be better for Rivers to target fit over talent this summer, considering what happened with Hawes.
The Clippers could use Crawford as a trade chip to land someone who can play power forward and center. However, Crawford could also be an important trade chip to land a starting small forward and also has plenty of value as a scorer next to Stephenson.
Either way, one of Rivers' most important tasks will be finding another competent big who can improve the bench. Should the team strike out in free agency again, it could limit the team's overall potential next season.
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