Clippers Add Glen Davis, Focus Sights on Danny Granger
By Marcus Bass
Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Originally reported by Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles, Glen Davis will sign with the Los Angeles Clippers upon clearing waivers and becoming a free agent at 5 p.m. ET. The Orlando Magic recently bought out Davis, where he averaged 12.1 points and 6.3 rebounds.
Clippers coach Doc Rivers was involved in a battle for Davis as Kevin Garnett also wanted the forward to join Brooklyn Nets, but after Davis alerted all teams involved that his intent was to sign with the Clippers, the Nets committed to Jason Collins making him the first openly gay active NBA player. Davis played four years under Rivers in a Boston Celtics uniform and will be the only player on the Clippers roster who’s won an NBA championship. Doc Rivers commented on Davis’ anticipatory signing with; “It’s not official yet but hopefully it will be. It gives us another big and what I like about a guy like that is he can play a five with a four.”
With a solid mid-range game, Davis will be a great option in a pick-and-roll system off the bench with either Jamal Crawford or Chris Paul. He shoots over 70 percent from the free-throw line and will prove to be a better rebounder than Ryan Hollins or Hedo Turkoglu who currently take up minutes at reserve forward. Davis is expected to join the team Monday in New Orleans before the Clippers take on the Pelicans. It’s unknown as to whether he will suit up.
With regards to the current state of NBA buyouts, Rivers also remarked, “The one thing we did predict right was the buyout season would be active this year and I don’t think it’s finished,” Rivers said. “I think there will be more guys being bought out. It’s every man for themselves right now I guess.” The Clippers cleared two roster spots at the last-minute of the NBA trade deadline, moving forwards Antawn Jamison and Byron Mullens in anticipation of a busy buyout season. With their first new addition in “Big Baby”, the Clippers will now turn their focus to adding more wing help with Danny Granger in their sights.
On the verge of a transition from famous to infamous, Granger fought his way back into the Eastern Conference-leading Indiana Pacers lineup after a string of nagging injuries, and off of the bench is averaging 8.3 points and 3.6 rebounds on the season. At last Thursday’s deadline, Granger was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Lavoy Allen and Evan Turner. Although no official word has come from the 76ers front office, most expect the 76ers to buy Granger out of his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent. Upon release, he’ll be able to sign with whomever he chooses for the remainder of the season, with the Clippers being in the mix for Granger’s services. Rivers commented on the effort going into recruiting free agents bought out of their contracts with“ You always do. I’m not going to say any names, but there’s more than one team that wants all these guys, at least a lot of the guys. You have to talk to them, for sure.”
Granger would be a welcomed addition to the Clippers who’ve seen meager production from Jared Dudley, and although Barnes has fit in quite well with the starters, his inconsistent shooting regularly proves he’s out of his element as a starter and best serves the team in a reserve role. With the least amount of production coming from the small-forward position, let’s hope the Clippers can acquire Granger fast.