After landing John Wall, the Clippers have one opening on their 15-man roster. There’s no rush to fill it, Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times writes. While they could use a backup center, the team is more interested in staying flexible rather than quickly adding a player. The team is already looking at a $143MM tax bill for next season and another signing would add to that.
We have more from the Western Conference:
- Donte DiVincenzo was believed to have offers for the full taxpayer mid-level exception of $6.479MM. However, he chose the Warriors’ offer of two years and $9.3MM with a player option. The option was key to his decision to take a $4.5MM salary next season, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic. He has a chance to join a championship team and pump up his value. If he does that, he can re-enter the free-agency market. If he doesn’t, he’s protected with a second-year player option worth $4.8MM.
- Nuggets GM Calvin Booth is carrying out his stated agenda of improving the team’s defense, Mike Singer of the Denver Post notes. By trading for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, agreeing to sign free agent Bruce Brown, re-signing Davon Reed and drafting Christian Braun and Peyton Watson, Booth targeted players who could switch on defense, disrupt passing lanes, play bigger than their height and stay on the floor in the postseason.
- Malik Monk has been friends with De’Aaron Fox since high school. That played a role in his decision to ditch the Lakers and agree to a two-year, $19MM contract with the Kings, Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee reports.
Picking DJordan over Boogie is another example of Booth prioritizing defense. Denver was in similar situation to my Hawks as far as needing to get tougher & better defensively. Both have largely done what they needed to do
Jordan is trash now tho
As is Cousins
Was still hoping for a big that could defend pick and roll and protect the rim…if DeAndre still does that last part I could see it working, but I thought that was the one questionable move
I think picking Jordan had more to do with him accepting a minimum salary, which is all the Nuggets had to offer to a backup C.
That’s all cousins would have gotten to?
Well he hasn’t signed yet so we’ll see.
Hey Clippers:
I’m available and for a minimal contract commitment to NOT PLAY for you. If you prefer, I’m willing to put a full season of “DNP” after my name. I can guarantee you that the team will be much better WITHOUT me playing.
Uh, okay.
Blake Griffin?
So reading how DiVincenzo wanted less money because he wanted the player option for year 2. if he has a impactful year 1 he can be a free agent again for big contract. Players are now looking at Warriors to restart their careers to big pay days. Example GP2 and Porter.
He was solid 2 yrs ago with Bucks, but I do have few concerns.
1. Ankle ligament surgery
2. Stupidly calling out Kings publicly for trying to lower his value (immaturity)
3. Will he be able to fit into Warriors culture and system, and not play selfishly to increase his value
There’s always risk when you bring in a new player. Thats why keeping keeping ine of Porter, GP2 was critical. Hopefully, Donte will be lights out for Warriors because he’s a pure shooter from perimeter.
I don’t see DiVivenzo has a bench upgrade GSW have already Poole, Moody to developp and Curry’brother in law around + 2022 rookie … I would have kept JTA over him if money is a problem… Bringing back continuity is a must for GSW and bench guys will be really important vs Clipps x Nuggs x Grizz x Mavs…
Michol: I’m betting most won’t see any issue with calling out the Kings, they’re an absolute trash franchise.
You still have to be a professional with your employer especially when you are a 25 yr old unestablished player. Oubre was a good example of someone who didnt fit into W’s culture
Porter and GP2 were totally different situations. Porter had already established himself in the league and had signed a big 2nd contract. GP2 was not “restarting” he was trying to start a career that had never gotten off the ground. DiVincenzo’s situation (semi-established, still young, just a year off serious injury, looking to establish value) is somewhat unique to him.
Cousins should be starting on some team in the NBA and getting starters minutes now that he is back fully healthy, he played hard last season if you followed his games he put up good numbers in limited minutes.
Everybody says the same thing about Cousins and we all watch him play. Howver, no one signs him for the last couple yrs until late and for prorated minimum. There must be a reason.
He is a good back up Center but I don’t see him as a starter.
Booth has done a great job in filling the black hole in DEN’s roster left by his predecessor, and did it with secondary assets. I think, at some point, he’ll need to make a major move, but these moves make them look more like an NBA team on the wings now, and give them options going forward. Still has a TPE as well.
I don’t like the Jordan signing, though, particularly if its in lieu of bringing back Cousins. Jordan hasn’t improved anyone’s defense in years. Ask the last few teams that signed him with that in mind.
Nothing unusual about DiVi’s contract. A structure of 1+1 with a player option has been the gold standard from the player’s standpoint for many years. It’s indicative of the player having leverage to determine contract structure, usually because, like here, he’s being underpaid on a AAV basis.
Denver rose by bringing in scoring prospects. Then they got caught up in Porter. Then injuries. Then the POBO got poached. Now new GM Booth brings the D to equal the O as the injured return. They should be a top contender.
At some point thr Wolves started using the Nuggets model… say by the time the DEN-MIN trade was made. With some high picks, they got good. With the new owners & the poached POBO, they too worked on their defense, but in one swoop, trading for Gobert.
I have read no jounalists finding a connection… it’s an HR comment section scoop, MIN using the DEN model. :)
I have read where SAC might go for the GSW model. ATL did when Schlenk took over, but Ressler pushed in his priorities. Ranadive may do the same for SAC, and Mcnair is still GM, so not yet for Kings.