According to Broderick Turner of the L.A. Times, the Clippers made their much-anticipated move to bolster frontcourt depth by signing 6’10″ Solomon Jones on Monday. Jones will join the team on a nonguaranteed contract worth about $1 million, “said a person not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.”
The signing comes after a workout that included Jones, Dan Gadzuric, Hilton Armstrong and D.J. Mbenga — all of whom were presumably candidates to fill the defensive void left that has become problematic when DeAndre Jordan goes to the bench.
Jones, 27, is long and perhaps more athletic than the others, but trailed both Gadzuric and Mbenga in block rate last season. Nevertheless, he will likely get his shot to provide a service that neither Brian Cook nor Trey Thompkins are built for: protecting the rim.
A 2nd-round pick by the Hawks in 2006, he spent three years in Atlanta before signing with Indiana, where he played for the past two. He played just over 13 minutes per game in 91 games over the past two seasons with the Pacers, all but two of which came off the bench. Per 36 minutes, he averaged about 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, with a free throw rate around 70%. Watch out, DeAndre!
26 Responses
I’m relieved not to have to watch Brian Cook’s “fouling counts as hustle which means I can shoot contested 3s” mindset on the court anymore.
EricGordonsAnkleBrace Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 5:08 pm
Such a good and totally accurate comment echoed by thousands of screaming fans every game.
Posted on January 2nd, 2012 at 6:17 pm
I know the options are limited but I’m not confident that was our “answer”. I still hope we are holding out for one more decent trade using either Mo or Bledsoe to pick up some more evened out depth and get a decent backup big or a wing defender.
I’m glad to see Jones contract was non-guaranteed.
griffin Reply:
January 2nd, 2012 at 7:48 pm
Me too what’s the deal on joel pryzbilla
JaySee Reply:
January 2nd, 2012 at 8:57 pm
He was saying he’s going to retire.
griffin Reply:
January 2nd, 2012 at 11:24 pm
Aww too bad he would fit perfect on our roster. I hope he gives the clips one more chance and then decide
Clips4 Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 11:51 am
I thought DJ Mbenga would have been the best answer to the backup big because he’s a physical player who isn’t afraid of contact. I have never heard of Solomon Jones and I guess Clipper Nation will be judging him this year on how he performs. I am happy that Brian Cook will go back to rot at the end of the bench where he belongs.
I hope we can swing Mo Williams and/or Bledsoe for a starting/backup wing player that has some length.
Posted on January 2nd, 2012 at 7:25 pm
we needed a guy like this bad we were in trouble everytime DJ gets is foul trouble finally somebody to fill the defensive void when DJ is on the bench
Posted on January 2nd, 2012 at 7:39 pm
now we need a wing defender and perhaps a good sg
Posted on January 2nd, 2012 at 7:48 pm
Sign bogans!
Matt Park Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 12:25 am
That is an excellent idea… Please sign Keith Bogans. Make it happen Olshey lol
Posted on January 2nd, 2012 at 9:23 pm
This guy was better than DJ Mbemba and Hilton Armstrong? Really?
JT's Hoops Blog Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 9:27 am
That’s the same thing I thought.
andy Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 4:41 pm
How much Hilton Armstrong or DJ Mbenga have you watched? As a former Hornet fan, I can only assure you that neither are the answer.
Posted on January 3rd, 2012 at 9:01 am
So joel przybilla said he isn’t gonna retire waiting after the holidays. So olshey might be able to get him
Posted on January 3rd, 2012 at 9:19 am
It’s not “the answer” but it definitely helps bolster the bench. Cook ain’t cutting it. We also need Reggie Evans. He can be such a vital tool with the starters OR the 2nd squad. Can’t replace hustle and rebounding. Something we’re hurting on. We could use his 10rpg!!
Greydon Square Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 2:28 pm
Yea, what IS the deal with Evans. I really don’t like the idea that we’ve already gambled the future on the very fragile present of 2 and a half knees. Now every time I see Evans he’s injured and I think uh oh, here we go again. Man as much I like that we got CP3 I really miss our old group.
EricGordonsAnkleBrace Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 5:10 pm
Ummm Eric Gordon has missed 4 straight games with a bruised knee. At least CP3 is playing.
Desert Corpse Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
CP3 played more games than Gordon the last 2 years
Posted on January 3rd, 2012 at 11:33 am
I know this was a guy who Pacers fans got excited about during preseason play and the like, but he just never managed to get more than end-of-the-bench minutes when the regular season came around. I think he’s more of an unknown quantity than DJ Mbenga and Hilton Armstrong, both of whom have proved beyond doubt that they are bench warmers at best. I’m pretty happy to give him his chance. Pryzbilla’s body is shot, so we can stop dreaming about that one.
Posted on January 3rd, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Man if this is what we signed the market must be really small. When I heard the name on the radio back here in Michigan I thought this guy was a football player at first. I thought they just got the name wrong. I have never heard of him and hopefully he will help.
DJ stinks and in no way be added to this roster. I doubt on NJ he could find minutes and I actually like Brian Cooks shooting over anything DJ offers. The one guy I was really disappointed got picked up recently was Michael Redd. I thought limited minutes off the bench a heck of a signing but I bet he will do well for the Suns.
Does anyone know who’s still available via a website I can visit?
Posted on January 3rd, 2012 at 4:43 pm
Okay, just because some of you haven’t heard of him doesn’t mean he is a bad player. I liked what I saw in Atlanta. This is a good pickup.
Posted on January 3rd, 2012 at 5:25 pm
I think the Lakers picked up 2 guys we should have gone after: Josh McRoberts and Troy Murphy
Posted on January 5th, 2012 at 12:53 pm
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