Clippers Sign Solomon Jones

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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!