| The Pursuit Of A Big Name Authored by SW36 - July 13, 2005 - 7:28 pm
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The Clippers, who have six free agents this off-season, would face a daunting task of re-signing them. Their main man, Bobby Simmons, who earlier won the Most Improved Player Award, was being pursued by many teams, and they faced the fact that there was a possibility of losing him to free agency.
After a few days into the free agency period, the Clippers got a shock when they learned Bobby signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, a reported 5 years, 47 million. Simmons agent later said “He was very appreciative of the opportunity that the Clippers gave him but felt like this was the best opportunity for him.” Now the Clippers were in need of another swingman, after losing out on shooting guard Ray Allen. Michael Redd was also off the block after he received a max contract with the Bucks earlier. This put the Clippers in a tough position because of the number of swingmen left, but don’t count them out of the running just yet.
They still have loads of cash, and have reportedly made a run at Shareef Abdul-Rahim, who is also being scouted by the New Jersey Nets. Shareef has already turned down a contract offer worth 47 million from the Bucks, money that the Bucks later used to sign LA’s own Bobby Simmons. Last year, the former Cal star, who averaged 16 points, and close to seven rebounds for the Portland Trailblazers, would make a an immediate contribution to the Clippers clubhouse. LA has also been rumored to signing Cuttino Mobley, the former Sacramento Kings guard, a deal worth up to 42 million if true. Mobley, who was traded midway in the season to the Orlando Magic, is a deadly sharp shooter. After averaging 17.2 points a game, he, like Shareef, would help the Clippers greatly.
Not only do the Clippers have to worry about other free agents, but they have to worry about their own. Marko Jaric, the current point guard for LA, is another guy the Clippers will have to look at and decide if they want him bad enough. Jaric, who is entering his fourth NBA season as a pro, averaged just fewer than ten points a game, while dishing out 6 assists a game for the Clipps the previous season. Kerry Kittles, the player which LA acquired from New Jersey, also raises a concern for the Clippers. Kittles could come cheap, considering he did not produce the talent that LA would have hoped for when they traded for him, but he can contribute nonetheless.
Who knows, maybe with the possible signings of Shareef, and Cuttino, the Clippers could finally make the playoffs, whose last playoff appearance was in 1997. We’ll just have to wait and see. |
