While the Clippers are generally grouped together with the rest of the Los Angeles and New York teams leading up to free agency as the big-market franchises looking to make a major splash on the free agent market, the Clips’ plans may look a little different than what those other clubs have in mind, writes Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
As Buha explains, the Clippers are unlikely to pursue top point guards like Kyrie Irving or Kemba Walker due to their “steadfast belief” in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been considered untouchable in trade talks.
Additionally, the Clippers likely won’t attempt to sign a second- or third-tier free agent like Khris Middleton or Tobias Harris unless it’s on a short-term deal, according to Buha, who points out that the team traded away Harris because it didn’t want to cap the roster’s ceiling at “good” instead of “great.”
Instead, the Clippers will focus on the top two free agents in this year’s free agent class – Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard – as well as top trade candidate Anthony Davis. If L.A. is unable to land one of those superstars, the organization figures to remain patient, avoiding a reactionary signing or trade and instead shifting its attention to re-signing its own free agents and making smaller moves, says Buha.
As we wait to see how that plan plays out, let’s round up a few more rumors and notes related to free agency:
- Within his full report on Kyrie Irving‘s agent change, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski shares some intriguing tidbits on two of this summer’s top free agents. Sources tell Wojnarowski that Irving remains “intensely interested” in the Nets, with the Knicks expected to remain competitive for the star point guard. Both New York teams are still interested in signing Irving and Kevin Durant together, even after KD’s Achilles tear, according to Woj.
- There’s a feeling in both NBA circles and in the Nets‘ front office that Brooklyn will land at least one star free agent this offseason, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post.
- Marc Berman of The New York Post explores some potential Plan Bs for the Knicks in the event that they miss out on Durant or back off their pursuit of the two-time Finals MVP at all following his Achilles injury.
- The Jazz appear likely to lose veterans Ekpe Udoh and Thabo Sefolosha in free agency, according to Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune, who examines the impact the duo had on Utah’s locker room over the last couple seasons.
Jesus, the Clippers are going to be run so competently it should make all Lakers fan scared. Gonna look like the old Thunder teams.
The Lakers did that cap-saving big-fish-fishing thing last year.
Kawhi to the Clippers
Durant stays with GSW
Davis traded to LAL
Kyrie signs with Brooklyn
Tobias Harris signs with Brooklyn
Kemba stays with Charlotte
Jimmy Buckets signs with LAL (could also see him resigning with Philadelphia)
Klay stays with GSW
Middleton resigns with Milwaukee (Could also see him with LAL)
Vucevic signs with the Knicks
My take on where the top 10 FA signs
Kawhi stays in Toronto
2yr (1+1)
To be honest this seems far more likely than anything the talking heads are pushing.
How dangerous would Mil be it they are able to sign Klay?
What teams can get both Kawhi and KD? That seems like the best possible combo on the market.
While I’m still in a state of denial that Zion won’t be a Knick, I don’t think any of the big name free agents are the answer or likely to choose the Knicks, beside throwing a lot of money at an injured Durant.
They need to do what they’ve never done, avoid the big names and sign a multitude of young hard working blue collar type players and play team basketball.
Tobias Harris would be at the top of my list
I like VanVleet too.
Full the roster with guys who will work their asses off everyday.
I would love the Knicks to go after Malcolm Brogdon. When you have guys like Knox, Barrett, and DSJ on ur team, a guy like Brogdon would really help those guys shine. He’s super unselfish, shoots high percentages, is versatile , a good defender, great character and hard worker, is still only 27yrs old, best days could still be in front of em, has been on a developing team that eventually broke thru , so will have exp to share.. etc He doesn’t need to be the primary ball handler and scorer to impact a game. He would be fantastic at getting the ball to his scorers and he would have a new pogo stick in Mitch to play with.
And when Knicks truly were ready to contend , he’d still be young and In his prime.
Brogdon would be a perfect addition imo..