The Los Angeles Clippers were absolutely "jubilant" on draft night when they landed Al Thornton with the 14th pick. They felt they got the steal of the late lottery. Thornton is a 6'7", 221 pound small forward. He is definitely a scorer. Call him Corey Maggette 2.0.
While the Los Angeles Clippers have every intention to keep Corey Maggette in what may be his final season with the team (he has an early termination option after this year), Thornton gives the team flexibility should that change.
The Los Angeles Clippers also drafted Jared Jordan in the second round (45th pick). Jordan is an unheralded point guard from Marist College, a small school in Poughkeepsie, NY. While 6'2", 182 pounds and relatively unathletic (especially when compared to Thornton), Jordan displayed very impressive floor leadership in the Orlando Camp. He could be a sleeper.
LA had anticipated picking a guard like Jaravis Crittenton (who went to the Los Angeles Lakers at 19) but couldn't pass up on the opportunity to land Thornton. Jordan gives the team yet another option at the one. He may be a career backup but an effective one.
Heading into the July free agency period, the Los Angeles Clippers have already made three roster decisions. First they picked up the team option for Quinton Ross.
Next they waived Daniel Ewing whose most memorable moment as a Clipper will always be the botched defensive assignment on Raja Bell in the 2006 Western Conference Semi-Finals against the Phoenix Suns.
Finally, the Los Angeles Clippers declined James Singleton's contract option and did not issue him a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.
This last move will be a bitter pill for a number of Clipper fans to swallow. Singleton was a crowd favorite who just couldn't crack Coach Mike Dunleavy's rotation. This one may come back to bite LA down the road, but it couldn't be helped.
The Los Angeles Clippers still have the rights to two second-round picks taken in prior drafts. Guillermo Diaz will play on the team's summer league squad and will probably be in Santa Barbara for training camp.
Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor indicated that "things aren't working out" for Sofocles Schortsianitis this coming season. He did not elaborate.
LA is over the salary cap. They have the Mid-Level Exception (MLE ~$6.0 million) to spend but not the Bi-Annual Exception (BAE ~$2 million) which they spent last year on Aaron Williams.
The team has two additional roster decisions to make. Paul Davis can be waived before July 15th, netting the Los Angeles Clippers nearly $500,000. Of course they'd need to replace him which would eat up most (or all) of that savings.
LA also has Will Conroy on a non-guaranteed contract. He'll be one of the many young point guards fighting his way through training camp for a roster spot.
Considering Shaun Livingston isn't expected back from his knee surgery until at least January or February, the Los Angeles Clippers need to ensure they have the necessary depth at the one.
They also have to decide whether or not to bring back free agent guard Jason Hart, who was a late pick up and solid contributor last year. His market value is probably closer to the BAE than the full MLE. The Los Angeles Clippers have the option to split the MLE up among multiple players, perhaps with a portion going to Hart.
La could go in another direction, especially if the Portland Trail Blazers waive Steve Francis. Though he's close friends with Clipper Cuttino Mobley, it's hard to imaging Dunleavy signing off on ball-dominant Francis.
Another question for the summer is the fate of unrestricted free agent Yaroslav Korolev. With the drafting of Thornton, Korolev may have just been a wasted lottery pick.
Here are the Los Angeles Clippers as currently constructed:
PG: Sam Cassell\Shaun Livingston (injured)\Will Conroy (non-guaranteed)\Jared Jordan (unsigned pick)\Guillermo Diaz (unsigned pick)
SG: Cuttino Mobley\Quinton Ross
SF: Corey Maggette\Al Thornton (unsigned pick)
PF: Elton Brand\Tim Thomas
C: Chris Kaman\Aaron Williams\Paul Davis (non-guaranteed)
If Hart or another point guard is brought in, LA still would be wise to keep Conroy, Jordan or Diaz until Shaun Livingston is proven healthy.
Depth at shooting guard is strong considering Corey Maggette and even Sam Cassell can fill that role. Small forward is also a position of strength for LA. Mobley, Ross and Thomas can all back up Corey Maggette and Thornton.
As Thornton matures he may be able to play some power forward. Both Williams and Davis were both underwhelming in their first years with the team. LA could use one more power player, something they may address in free agency.
While last season the Los Angeles Clippers fell flat, they should rebound well with an improved and healthy roster. The Western Conference poses a difficult challenge but this team should be able to make a strong playoff run.
A few additional tweaks will only strengthen what is already a solid core.
Considering both Elton Brand and Corey Maggette can both opt out after the coming season, this is (without a doubt) a make or break year for the Los Angeles Clippers.
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