The Clippers would’ve benefited more from adding a new floor general this offseason instead of a new coach, LZ Granderson of the Los Angeles Times writes.
While multiple veteran guards remain unrestricted free agents, Los Angeles has yet to upgrade the position with training camps set to begin this week. The team promoted Tyronn Lue last month after firing longtime coach Doc Rivers, who first joined the franchise in 2013.
The Clippers lost a grueling seven-game series to the Nuggets in the playoffs last fall, failing to make the Western Conference Finals despite having two All-Stars and an impressive supporting cast. The team’s biggest free-agent acquisition was Serge Ibaka; L.A. also reached a deal with Nicolas Batum on Sunday.
There’s more from the Western Conference tonight:
- The Lakers ultimately decided against stretching Quinn Cook‘s salary, according to Keith Smith of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). Los Angeles will take a cap hit of $1MM for 2020/21 as a result of waiving the 27-year-old, who remains a free agent after playing just 44 games with the team last season.
- Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman lists five questions for the Thunder ahead of training camp and the 2020-21 season, with the team recently completing a full rebuild after clinching a playoff berth in Orlando. Chris Paul (Suns), Danilo Gallinari (Hawks), Dennis Schroder (Lakers) and Steven Adams (Pelicans) all departed the franchise this month, with Gallinari being the only player to leave as a free agent.
- Mike Singer of the Denver Post also examines a list of questions related to the Nuggets, a team with its sights set on contending this season. The franchise lost Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee and Torrey Craig from last season, signing veteran JaMychal Green and bringing back Paul Millsap for frontcourt depth. The team also converted the two-way contract of Bol Bol and signed forward Greg Whittington to a two-way deal.
Derrick Rose isn’t a free agent lol
Someone better tell the Pistons Rose isn’t showing up.
What a weird mistake. Wonder whom he’s thinking of. If the Clips can bear to deal with the team that just beat them, the Nuggets have 3 good point guards, and that’s one too many.
I would have stretched him. That flexibility may be worthwhile come buyout time
Not only is Rose NOT a free-agent, but the Clippers haven’t officially reached a deal with Batum. Plans to sign doesn’t mean reached a deal, and adding a link just to confirm that doesn’t help….eesh, double whammy
Batum and the Clippers have an agreement — it’s usually just phrased as “plans to sign” when a player still technically has to clear waivers before becoming a free agent and signing.
I’ll give you Rose though, that’s been fixed.
Generous!
Blazers bench
Hood
Jones jr
Trent Jr
Kanter
Nuggets bench
Barton
Green
Morris
Bol
Blazers are better
Nope! DEN has a better bench!
We need an update on how many first round picks OKC has over the next 10 years, is it 50 yet? Of course they won’t get another KD/Russ/Harden.
OKC still is better than HOU!
Way too early to assume they won’t greatly benefit. The odds are with them. Honestly it would take pure incompetence to eff it up with that many picks. OKC is going to become an elite franchise, in time.
P.S. I’m not a Thunder fan.