With Joe Johnson and Rudy Gay both off the table, it’s an increasingly likely scenario that the Clippers fill out their remaining roster spots with affordable guys who won’t jeopardize the development of the young core or squander the club’s future financial flexibility. While there are many free agents still up for grabs, here are four players who could fit snugly into the Clippers’ plans next season.
Kyle Korver
“It’s just a matter of reading the defense,” Korver said after his strong Game 1 and 2 performances in Utah’s first-round series against Denver. In Game 1, Korver took most of his shots from the top of the floor, but in Game 2, he darted off curls and baseline screens to set up shop in the corner. “They were chasing me in Game 1 on the down screens, but in Game 2 they were sort of cutting over the top, so I just flared toward the corner,” Korver said.
The 6-foot-7 sharpshooter is one of a few players in the league (though one of many on the Jazz) who will not only field a question about x’s and o’s, but build on the conversation. His 62 percent true shooting percentage can be attributed not only to his quick release and good size, but his court vision and intelligence. As we’ve seen with Ray Allen, long-range shooters with Korver’s proficiency aren’t frequently left open on the perimeter. They must work tirelessly for their looks and when those opportunities present themselves, there’s rarely more than a narrow window of daylight through which to get off a shot.
There’s a tendency to assume that spot-up specialists like Korver must be poor defenders. Some — like Steve Novak — are. But some — like Korver — aren’t. Watch him body up on the perimeter against opposing small forwards and you’ll see a strong, physical defender who yields very little and knows how to funnel his assignment to the right spots on the floor. As a help defender, Korver rarely makes a bad tactical decision. The data backs this up. In three straight seasons, the Jazz have not only been a better defensive team with Korver on the floor, but decisively better (3,94, 3.75, 2.49). He also posts solid rebounding numbers and an impressive assist rate for a guy whose primary responsibility is to shoot. While the Clips sculpt Al-Farouq Aminu into their small forward of the future, Korver’s range of attributes — from his ability to space the floor to his basketball IQ — would come in very handy.
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Anthony Morrow
There’s an old saying in basketball: If you can shoot, you can play. It wasn’t always clear if Morrow, an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech, could hack it in the NBA, but after two years of scorching the nets in Golden State, it’s pretty obvious he belongs.
Just how good of a shooter is Morrow? He’s an elite one. Morrow ranked fifth in the league last season in overall three-point shooting percentage, but first out of those who attempted more than four threes a game at 45.6 percent. In spot-up situations, Morrow was second in the league in points produced per possession at 1.37. Morrow’s true shooting percentage of 59.7 was fifth best among all shooting guards and just a hair behind one of the greatest shooters of all-time in Ray Allen. Pure shooters usually face an adjustment period in the NBA, but at age 24 and just two seasons into his career, Morrow has already vaulted himself into the upper echelon of snipers.
You’d expect Morrow to be awful defensively, but he’s not an absolute sieve. The Warriors were actually worse defensively last season when Morrow was off the court, despite the fact Morrow often played out of position at small forward. At 6-foot-5 with not a heck of a whole lot going for him athletically, Morrow isn’t a very good rebounder either. Still, he was decisively better at pitching in on the glass than both Rasual Butler and Eric Gordon last season in less minutes.
Morrow was truly one of Don Nelson’s guys — a player who could get shots up quick and knock a lot of them down. It’s been rumored that Warriors GM Larry Riley wants more defensive-minded guys on the floor and would be hesitant to match a substantial offer for Morrow. Teams can offer Morrow up to the mid-level exception, and as an restricted free agent the Warriors would have seven days to match that offer.
It’s not difficult to manufacture points when Morrow is on the floor. Run him off screens, plant him on the ball-side for post entries … the possibilities are endless. If you’re working under the assumption that Blake Griffin is a double-team drawing force on the block, there’s far worse basketball strategies than pairing him with one of the game’s purest outside shooters.
Although he’s one-dimensional, Morrow would give the next coach of the Clippers a legitimate offensive weapon to utilize.
djf
Ronnie Brewer
Throughout the playoffs, when Jazz point guard Deron Williams was asked to comment on a heady play by one of his young wings, Wesley Matthews or C.J. Miles, Williams would reference former teammate Ronnie Brewer. For example, when Miles made a brilliant off-ball dive to the hoop during a crucial possession of Game 2, Williams commented, “It was a Ronnie Brewer read … He used to run that baseline.”
Williams was irate when the Jazz dealt the 6-foot-7 Brewer mid-season in a salary dump and you can’t blame him. In an offense that relies on sharp instincts and good decision-making, Brewer was a master. We often discuss how awareness of one’s limitations is such a valuable commodity for an NBA player. Brewer is a prime example. Though he can’t shoot very well from distance, Brewer is one of the strongest finishers in the league at the basket, which is how he’s been able to compile a career Player Efficiency Rating of 15.8 despite that iffy stroke.
As Williams says, Brewer has a knack for being in the right place at the right time on the court. He has an intuitive ability to make smart reads aside and work off the ball. Brewer isn’t a defensive stopper, but he can guard three positions with his length, quicks and intelligence and has improved each season as he’s matured.
In their successful attempt to make Rudy Gay one of the most generously compensated athletes in the world, the Memphis Grizzlies had to let Brewer walk as an unrestricted free agent. Memphis’ loss is the league’s gain. For a team trying to get more creative offensively, the Clippers could use a guy like Brewer with whom Baron Davis would have a field day (as Williams did) finding the speedy guard on basket dives. Although he’d be an unlikely starter in Los Angeles, he could be a valuable first-wing-off-the-bench for the Clippers.
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Lou Amundson
Hockey and basketball don’t coincide a whole lot, but something to embrace about hockey is the defined roles players have on the ice. Teams are led by their playmakers and snipers, but after those guys there’s a lot of grinders and enforcers out there — guys to do the dirty work. In fact, hockey teams have whole units dedicated solely to hitting people. Obviously you can’t do that in basketball, but every team needs a guy who can go in and muck up the game a bit.
There’s no doubting Lou Amundson is one of those guys. During the playoffs Amundson stayed in the jersey of opposing star big-men, crashed the offensive boards with reckless abandon, and did his fair share of agitating along the way. To wit, Amundson is most noted for provoking Zach Randolph into punching him in the face. He’s pretty good at that sort of thing.
Amundson isn’t skilled by any means, but he’s a dogged offensive rebounder (fifth among centers in offensive rebounding rate) and a pretty good shotblocker at nearly 2.5 blocks per 40 minutes. Almost all of Amundson’s shot attempts (3.5 a game) come on putback attempts or cuts directly to the hole. If it’s not at the rim, Amundson is probably not shooting it.
Perhaps the best quality about Amundson is that he knows his role, and he’s hungry to fill it every single night. He’ll scrap to the final bell, and often times he’ll swing a game with his hustle plays if the opposing bigs don’t match his energy level. He’s not pretty, but he’s consistent, he’ll come cheap, he’ll work hard every day and push the other guys, and he’ll add a little nastiness to a big man rotation at the 4 or 5 spot.
djf
37 Responses
Lou Amundson? He should be fun to watch. Like watching Clark Kent of the 1980s Lakers without the showtime gang to go with it……
How about Josh Childress?
Posted on July 2nd, 2010 at 11:20 pm
Josh Childress would be great, but I think he wants to go to DC no? I also think his rights are still with ATL.
I wouldn’t be against Korver though. If it was for a mid-level exemption price.
What do we think about trying to trade to get Carmelo or Tony Parker?
JaySee Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Why the heck would he want to go to DC? Hawks can’t match if JJ signs. Korver deserves more that $5.5 million and he probably knows it. I’d guess $7-8 million.
For Parker it would have to be a lopsided trade for Kaman, maybe throw in Warren. We’d have to figure a way to get rid of Davis after.
Carmelo, Anderson, Lawson for Davis and Kaman works financially.
Posted on July 2nd, 2010 at 11:26 pm
As long as we don’t hand out any 4 or 5 year contracts, I’m cool with any of those guys. I would prefer a shooter, Morrow or Korver would be nice as long as we don’t overpay!
Posted on July 2nd, 2010 at 11:37 pm
Mike Miller could be a nice fit. He’s a good shooter, rebounder, and passer….
Posted on July 2nd, 2010 at 11:41 pm
What about Josh Howard? Won’t he be looking for a one-year deal to prove that he’s worth a multi-year deal next year? I know that we’ve had bad luck with contract year players but it might be worth it to sign a one year guy so that we can try for another FA next year.
Posted on July 2nd, 2010 at 11:53 pm
Please not Amundson!! I would seriously have to consider ending my 20yr run as a Clipper fan if we get that guy. I hate him with a passion.
Posted on July 3rd, 2010 at 12:08 am
there’s more than enough talent already. what is lacking isn’t a player, but a coach and system. more than anything, the clippers need structure and identity.
Posted on July 3rd, 2010 at 1:05 am
Korver and/or Morrow would be great assets. Clips need legitimate shooters on the court to compliment Griffin/Kaman or to help Baron on penetration. Another guy we should not forget is GSW free agent Kelenna Azubuike who the clippers coveted. He can play the 2 and sometimes 3 spot. Lots of names for the clips to pursue in addition to higher dollar 3′s like Richard Jefferson or Josh Childress. This will be a fun summer!
Posted on July 3rd, 2010 at 1:16 am
**** it and go for the big fish – we can make a splash!
Posted on July 3rd, 2010 at 1:23 am
This is a sad, sad “wish-list”
chris. Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 7:49 am
Yeah, it’s really pathetic and shocking to see. It’s worse than awful.
Kevin Arnovitz Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 8:04 am
Active list of current free agents:
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=TopFreeAgents-2010
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgents-10-11
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/04/06/top-50-2010-nba-free-agents/
The Clippers have about $16.8M to spend.
What’s the plan?
WGS Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 9:12 am
Childress for 8 million
Korver, Morrow, or Matthews for 5 million
Smith or Sofo for 3 million
RL Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 12:34 pm
KA, if the LeBron plan fails, this is what I would do:
1. Revisit the Deng trade.
2. Talk to Houston for trade scenarios involving Ariza and/or Battier. They need to clear up space if they want to have a chance at landing Bosh.
3. Offer Childress $7-$8 mil for 3 years, though that’s a bit high imo, and he’d probably want more with the way things are going.
To be honest, aside from Lebron, there’s not too many FAs that really fit the Clippers’. Those that do, JJ and Rudy, are now way overpaid. Looks like the best way to improve the team is through trades with teams looking to dump their SFs for a chance to land one of the big name FAs.
RL Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 12:36 pm
But I do like Brewer and Morrow, they can fit with the team well.
RL Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 12:39 pm
And I also like Terrence Williams of the Nets: he’s young, smart, and athletic. Surely NJ would be open to trading him if it gives them more cap space, and they’re still in the Lebron chase.
chris. Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 4:06 pm
1) Trade with Houston Battier for T.E. – one year loner, can try again next year when we know what the new CBA will do to every teams strategy going forward.
2) Childress, 3 years for $7-$8 million
or
3) Rasual to 3 years mid-level
Hire either coach, I’d prefer Casey but just get somebody.
Bring in Sofo, especially if Rhino’s asking price is too much or he signs elsewhere.
Check out T-Mac, Josh Howard I don’t think can play until mid October soooo.
chris. Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 4:49 pm
PS Mike Miller was just in to meet with Clippers brass.
Five O Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 10:36 am
Reality is once you step down from the so called big name’s the next tier is not that close. However, there are solid free agents to build your bench with considering your nucleus of talent is Gordon, Griffin and Kaman. Its a league dominated by stars and Griffin will be one of those within two years.
Posted on July 3rd, 2010 at 2:20 am
How pathetic… This so called biggest free agency in NBA history and we’re talking about Korver, Morrow, Brewer, and Amundson? How pathetic
Better off signing 5 undrafted college players and hoping to get lucky then sign any one of those four losers
Sam K Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 8:02 am
So who would you like to see the Clippers sign? Max dollars for Joe Johnson? Let’s operate under the assumption that we’ll be one of the 29 teams that doesn’t get LBJ.
Respect Griffin Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 4:18 pm
We are one of the top 5 teams with salary cap space in the biggest “free agency bananza!” in NBA history, and we’re talking about Brewer and Korver? I repeat, PATHETIC
EricGordonsAnkleBrace Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 4:58 pm
Dont just spend money becvause we have it to spend. Id rather watch our core youth group try to develop than have these losers take away valuable minutes and cap space and they arent gonna become anything.
Posted on July 3rd, 2010 at 6:59 am
I would include Josh Childress and Mike Miller on my realistic “wish (cough) list”
Posted on July 3rd, 2010 at 8:11 am
Kevin, how much $ is Rasual Butler looking for this summer? I’d really like to see him back. Ideally, I think our best solution would be to get Tayshaun Prince. Although I’m liking Korver even more after reading this.
Keep up the good work!
Clipps23 Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 9:04 am
PS Thanks for taking a different look at this free agent summer! I was growing tired of hearing about the same free agents, none of which will play for the Clippers.
Posted on July 3rd, 2010 at 9:02 am
I like the idea of bringing in Korver and Amundson if the clippers don’t end up with a big name. Is bringing in Sofo still a strong possibility this summer?
Also, how much is expected of Eric Bledsoe this year, can he be expected to carry the backup pg duties, or would it be prudent to spend a decent amount on a veteran, especially with Baron Davis’s injury history? As opposed to just bringing in someone for the minimum?
Posted on July 3rd, 2010 at 10:24 am
Kyle Korver is as streaky as Rasual Butler. I remember Korver starting off with the 76ers and then got traded to Utah. He is mostly a shooter with ok all around game.
Azabuke is a nice option, he does not really hurt his team and provides good production.
He would be ahead of Korver, secondly , I’d still like to retain Butler.
JaySee Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 1:06 pm
What are you smoking? Korver streaky? Streaky as Butler? .493 FG% .536 3P% ’nuff said. Check his game log. If he shoots more than 3 3P attempts, he makes at least 1. There’s only 1 game where he didn’t make one when he made only 2 attempts. He’s the definition of consistency.
Posted on July 3rd, 2010 at 11:40 am
Yes the percentages tell a story but Rasual’s length and size attribute some defensive help and I just like his game. And if u must know what I am smoking, it’s the California Kush.
I come in peace.
JaySee Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 10:10 pm
So now you just avoid the fact that you’re absolutely wrong and talk about something totally unrelated? Korver is one of the most consistent shooters in the league. He plays hard defense and knows how to move without the ball to get open. Watch him play. There is nothing “streaky” about him. He’s like a poor man’s Reggie Miller with meat on his bones.
Posted on July 3rd, 2010 at 1:41 pm
I think this is a solid list of potential FA’s. Assuming Griffin is going to be solid this year, that gives us 4 solid options in the starting rotation. We don’t need to overspend on some marginal star. Obviously, I would love for us to sign Mike Miller (although he’s pretty injury prone) or Josh Childress because these guys can shoot, make plays, and rebound. The lack of playmakers was definitely a problem last year, and no one on this list except possibly Brewer will fix that. But a lot of teams want Miller and Childress and, as Clipper fans, we have to accept the fact that our team isn’t necessarily a top FA destination. So if we can’t get one of those guys (or someone better), I can live with Korver or Morrow dropping long range bombs for the next few years. One of our problems last season was the lack of outside shooting. Morrow and Korver are definite upgrades over Butler, in my opinion (although I got no real problem with Rasual). Brewer would be a nice, high-IQ player to help Baron out in the playmaking department if he can come off the bench behind Gordon. I also like Amundson for reasons said. Our team’s hustle and heart was often questionable last year, and you need guys to go out there and play hard no matter what. Someone on here said he hates Amundson. That’s definitely understandable, but that’s also why we should want him. He’s one of those guys that you love when he’s on your team, and hate when he’s not. How many non-Cavs fans say they love Varejao? Every winning franchise needs nasty role players, and Amundson is a guy I would want on mine.
JaySee Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Of the 3 SFs, I’d put Childress first because of his athletic ability and youth. Korver 2nd because he’s the best shooter and would be the cheapest of the 3. Miller 3rd because of his lack of durability and he’s the oldest.
Posted on July 3rd, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Childress, Azubuike and Sofo. Let’s get it done!
Posted on July 4th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Vinny del Negro…. nice addition?
took the Bulls to the playoffs last few seasons.
Optomistic!
Posted on July 7th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
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