Los Angeles Clippers Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Clippers Sign Ronny Turiaf

July 26th, 2012 at 5:30pm CST by Luke Adams

5:30pm: The Clippers have officially signed Turiaf, according to Chris Broussard of ESPN The Magazine.

THURSDAY, 12:22am: The Clippers have reached a contract agreement with Ronny Turiaf for the coming season, according to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. Turiaf's deal with the Clips will be for one year, and will pay him the veteran's minimum — for a player with Turiaf's seven years of experience, the minimum salary is $1,146,337.

After winning a ring with the Heat, Turiaf decided to opt out of the second year of his contract. While his performance with Miami wasn't exceptional, the second-year player option had been included in his deal as an "insurance policy." Presumably, the belief was that the big man could earn a larger or longer guarantee on the open market, though it seems that wasn't the case.

As Hoops Rumors' Free Agent Tracker shows, Turiaf is the fifth free agent to sign with the Clippers this summer. In addition to fellow big man Ryan Hollins, Turiaf joins Jamal Crawford, Grant Hill, and Chauncey Billups as the club's offseason free agent additions. Los Angeles also acquired Lamar Odom from the Mavericks in a June trade.

Free Agent Rumors: Landry, Thomas, Mason

July 24th, 2012 at 2:20pm CST by Luke Adams

A few more free agents have come off the board today, as A.J. Price and Pablo Prigioni finalized deals with the Wizards and Knicks respectively, while Ronnie Brewer was among the players to agree to a new contract, reaching a deal with the Knicks. With a number of available players still on the market though, here's a round-up of a few of the day's assorted free agent rumors:

The Hornets have renounced Carl Landry's Bird Rights, making a sign-and-trade difficult to work out, writes Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld. The Bobcats were interested in a sign-and-trade deal for Landry, but New Orleans would need to get back under the cap to have room to make it work.
Malcolm Thomas, who was named to the All-Summer League team, is drawing interest from a number of teams, including the Clippers, Bulls, Hawks, and Bobcats, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports.
Former Lakers second-rounder Patrick Beverley is seeking an NBA job, having worked out for the Bulls, Cavs, and Rockets this offseason. Agent Kevin Bradbury tells Scott Powers of ESPNChicago.com that he thinks his client would be a good fit in Chicago: "He plays defense and does what’s asked of him. He fits the Bulls’ system. I think that’s intriguing for the Bulls. He really respects [Tom Thibodeau]."
The Wizards have interest in bringing back Roger Mason, but Mason isn't looking to sign a one-year, minimum-salary deal, says Michael Lee of the Washington Post. The veteran guard has also received interest from the Thunder, Hornets, Bulls, and Lakers.

Clippers Sign Ryan Hollins

July 23rd, 2012 at 1:25pm CST by Zachary Links

MONDAY, 1:25pm: The Clippers have officially signed Hollins, the team announced today in a press release.

THURSDAY, 4:34pm: Free agent Ryan Hollins has verbally agreed to join the Clippers, according to agent Todd Ramasar on Twitter. Earlier today it was reported that Los Angeles reached out to Hollins in hopes of securing a backup big man for the minimum salary.

The 27-year-old was waived by the Cavs in late March and promptly picked up by the Celtics. In 39 games last year, Hollins averaged 13.4 minutes per contest and put up 3.4 PPG and 2.1 RPG. While he has always shown promise as an athletic big, Hollins' inability to rebound was rather apparent in his time with Cleveland and Boston.

Odds & Ends: Beal, Williams, Cavs, Morrison

July 22nd, 2012 at 10:05pm CST by Zachary Links

Bradley Beal specifically asked that the Wizards’ take him with the third-overall pick and so far he is justifying the club's decision to oblige, writes Michael Lee of the Washington Post. While summer league results aren't a perfect barometer for future success, the shooting guard impressed as he averaged 17.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per contest. Here's more from around the Association..

One scout told Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter) that Derrick Williams, who went No. 2 in the 2011 draft, would not have have gone in the top eight in 2012. It's an interesting take as some observers seemed to be down on what the 2012 class had to offer beyond the top few selections.
Cavaliers coach Byron Scott believes that the club's future looks bright even if they don't make a significant trade, writes Joel Brigham of USA Today. "I'm looking at a nice young core of guys," Scott said. "If we add some guys to that core, more power to us, and if we don't, we'll go with what we got because I think right now the future of our team is pretty bright."
Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com (via Twitter) opines that Adam Morrison has played his way onto an NBA roster this season. The forward is averaging about 20 points and five boards per game for the Clippers' summer league team.

Los Angeles Notes: Gasol, Hill, Simmons

July 21st, 2012 at 12:48pm CST by Zachary Links

Last night, the Lakers reached agreement with big man Jordan Hill on a two-year, $8MM deal. The former No. 8 pick in the 2009 draft didn't necessarily shine in his seven regular season games for Los Angeles but averaged 4.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in 18.1 minutes per game in the postseason. Here's more out of the Staples Center..

Kobe Bryant isn't the only one high on Pau Gasol, as Marc Stein of ESPN.com (via Twitter) says that Lakers brass has renewed excitement about him with Steve Nash joining the mix.
The "high character guys" on the Clippers made Grant Hill's free agency decision an easy one, writes Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. Last season, Hill started 46 of 49 games for the Suns, putting up 10.2 points in 28 minutes per game.
The Clippers are also looking into re-signing forward Bobby Simmons, Turner writes. "We've been talking," agent Mark Bartelstein said. "There is interest, but no decision has been made."

Agent Says Knicks Eyeing Shooting Guards

July 20th, 2012 at 7:06pm CST by Chuck Myron

Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com reports the Knicks have interest in unrestricted free agents Sonny Weems and Maurice Evans, according to Roger Montgomery, the agent for both players. The Knicks are seeking depth at shooting guard with Iman Shumpert out until January and J.R. Smith the only rotation-caliber two-guard on the roster, but have only the veteran's minimum at their disposal, as Zwerling points out.

The Knicks could also be a candidate for Randy Foye if the Clippers consent to a sign-and-trade, writes Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune, also identifying the Suns, Bucks and Bulls as Foye suitors (Twitter link). Foye spent most of last season in the starting lineup for the Clippers, averaging 11.0 points, 2.2 assists and 2.1 rebounds with a 13.5 PER.

The 26-year-old Weems spent last season playing overseas after averaging 9.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Raptors in 2010/11. Toronto withdrew its qualifying offer to Weems last week, making him an unrestricted free agent. Evans, who'll be 34 when the season starts, spent last season with the Wizards, putting up 4.9 PPG, 1.0 RPG and 0.4 APG in just 14.3 minutes a night.

Evans seems the more likely bet to settle for the minimum salary, as Zwerling notes. A twist to the story is that Montgomery is also the agent for Jeremy Lin, whose offer sheet the Knicks declined to match this week.

Free Agent Rumors: O’Neal, Bulls, Wallace

July 19th, 2012 at 3:18pm CST by Luke Adams

The Spurs have made a handful of signings so far this summer, but every contract agreement they've reached has been for one of their own players — unrestricted free agents Tim Duncan and Boris Diaw will return, along with restricted free agents Danny Green and Patty Mills. Even the team's one new addition, Nando De Colo, wasn't a free agent, since San Antonio held his NBA rights exclusively. The Spurs are standing relatively pat this offseason, not pursuing outside free agents, and that's just fine with coach Gregg Popovich, as he tells Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News.

So while the remaining free agents on the market aren't likely to draw a ton of interest from San Antonio, there are plenty of other potential destinations out there. Here's the latest on a few available players:

The Bucks are taking a "long look" at Jermaine O'Neal's workout today, tweets Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld.

Earlier updates:

The Bulls are eyeing shooting guards such as Marco Belinelli, Randy Foye, Delonte West, and Willie Green, according to Aggrey Sam of CSNChicago.com.
Despite indicating earlier this year that he intended to retire, Ben Wallace would like to return to the Pistons for the 2012/13 season, says Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News. The Pistons have a full roster, so they'd have to make a move to clear a spot to sign the unrestricted free agent.
The Warriors and Bobcats are still pursuing Carl Landry, writes Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. Charlotte, which could offer Landry more money, is attempting to work out a sign-and-trade deal with the Hornets.
A number of teams have expressed interest in Mickael Pietrus, but the Celtics are still "very much in the picture," says A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com. Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com adds (via Twitter) that Pietrus has a "huge" offer from an overseas team, but that he wants to play for an NBA contender on more than a minimum-salary deal.
The Clippers have reached out to Ryan Hollins and Darko Milicic, in hopes of adding a backup big man for the minimum salary, writes Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. Darko's agent Marc Cornstein says playing time will be a bigger factor for his client than money, since the Timberwolves are still sending him pay checks.
A big-name free agent came off the market yesterday when the Trail Blazers matched Nicolas Batum's offer sheet. As Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld writes, Blazers GM Neil Olshey stressed that reports suggesting Batum didn't want to return to Portland were orchestrated by the Timberwolves and Batum's agent. "Nic never said that," Olshey said. "Let’s be very clear. Nic made a couple of comments at the behest of the Minnesota Timberwolves and his agent. That was their agenda; it was never Nicolas’s agenda."

Clippers Sign Grant Hill

July 18th, 2012 at 2:05pm CST by Luke Adams

WEDNESDAY, 2:05pm: The Clippers have officially signed Hill, the team announced in a press release. Los Angeles will use its bi-annual exception on Hill, putting his two-year contract in the neighborhood of $4MM.

TUESDAY, 12:21pm: The Clippers will add Hill using either the bi-annual exception or a sign-and-trade, meaning he'll make more than the minimum salary, tweets SI.com's Sam Amick. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports adds that it'll be a two-year contract.

11:40am: The Clippers have reached an agreement to sign Grant Hill, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). John Gambadoro of 620 KTAR Phoenix first tweeted that Hill was headed to the Clippers. Wojnarowski adds (via Twitter) that the two sides are still finalizing the details of the contract, but says Hill has committed to sign with Los Angeles.

Four Teams In Running For Darko Milicic

July 18th, 2012 at 1:45pm CST by Luke Adams

No team submitted a bid for Darko Milicic when the Timberwolves placed him on amnesty waivers, but the former second overall pick is drawing interest now that he's a free agent. According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter), the Heat, Clippers, Bulls, and Nets are the frontrunners to sign Milicic.

We heard yesterday that the Nets and Clippers are targeting backup centers, so their interest comes as no surprise. The Heat are also in the market for a big man, after adding a pair of shooters, Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, in free agency. The most interesting team of the four is the Bulls — K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune wonders (via Twitter) if Chicago's interest in Darko is a hint that the team might let Omer Asik go to Houston.

While Milicic certainly hasn't had the sort of career that the other top-five picks in 2003 have, the 27-year-old is one of the more attractive centers left among this summer's unrestricted free agents. Nazr Mohammed, Ben Wallace, and Ryan Hollins are a few of the other available options.

With the T-Wolves still paying him for the next two years, Milicic is a good bet to sign a minimum-salary deal this summer.

Clippers Amnesty Ryan Gomes

July 17th, 2012 at 11:31pm CST by Luke Adams

Just before the 11:00pm CST amnesty deadline, the Clippers used the amnesty provision to waive Ryan Gomes, according to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. By amnestying Gomes, Los Angeles clears the final year of his deal, worth $4MM, from its cap, though the team will still have to pay him.