Clippers cannot lose Cole Aldrich in 2016 NBA free agency

The Los Angeles Clippers have decisions to make with their star trio, but another extremely important concern in 2016 NBA free agency for them is whether they can keep Cole Aldrich.

The Los Angeles Clippers’ concerns in 2016 NBA free agency go far beyond the future of the Big 3. Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan are the trio that form the cornerstone of the franchise in all aspects the game, from Paul’s floor general leadership to Jordan’s high-flying defense. Together, complimented by J.J. Redick and Luc Mbah a Moute, they form one of the league’s top few starting lineups. Yet, no matter how formidable they are, issues with the second unit in the past and now major injuries have ended their season short, prompting the question as to whether they will all be together at the end of this summer.

Any possible trades surrounding any member of the Big 3 will be one of the major talking points of free agency altogether, but there’s far more the Clippers need to worry about thanks to having so many players ready to hit the market.

Last summer, Doc Rivers did well to acquire a host of players to fill out the bench and add depth using minimum contracts. After the more high-value (and eventually high-failure) addition of Lance Stephenson, Doc added the likes of Wesley Johnson, Mbah a Moute and Pablo Prigioni on minimum contracts, providing the kind of depth that seemed out of reach given the team’s struggling cap situation.

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Most importantly, Doc added Cole Aldrich on a minimum deal (with a player option for 2016-17). And now Doc needs to do absolutely all he can to ensure that the hustle of Stone Cole Aldrich doesn’t leave.

Unlike Jordan, an All-Defensive player and anchor of the starters, Aldrich has become the unexpected defensive anchor of the bench. Since Josh Smith‘s woeful time as a floor spacing, trigger-happy forward and small-ball center came to end as he was dealt back to the Houston Rockets, the Clippers gradually increased Aldrich’s playing time and utilized the benefits of a typical center. A center who can protect the paint, thoroughly help the team’s dire rebounding, and provide some toughness; three assets that the Clippers were in desperate need of.

And as Smith started racking up DNP’s as Doc realized how wrong he was for the team, Aldrich started racking up minutes to prove what he can do.

When looking at Aldrich’s averages per 36 minutes, he looks like a defensive star. 14.8 points, 13 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 3.1 blocks in that time span is nothing shy of excellent, especially for a backup center who still won’t receive much recognition for what he’s done. Of course, he only actually played 13.3 minutes per game this season (14.2 since Smith left with no DNP’s), but those averages speak volumes as to how much he contributes, using his sound reactions and aggression to rotate and protect the rim, and generally being active in any way he can to come up with steals and go after lose balls.

Beyond those basic averages and the simple eye test, Aldrich’s defensive impact is just as impressive.

Players only shot 49.1 percent at the rim against Aldrich this season, and he raised the Clippers’ total rebound percentage, assist percentage, steal percentage and block percentage whenever he was on the floor (per Basketball Reference).

Cole Aldrich needs to be in Los Angeles at the end of free agency. As someone who’s saved countless bench rotations this season, he’s more than earned it.

What’s even more impressive? The fact that Aldrich ranked 3rd (!) among all centers in the NBA this season with a defensive Real Plus Minus of 4.61, only being beaten by Tim Duncan and Andrew Bogut (per ESPN).

That’s exactly why Cole deserves a name like Stone Cole Aldrich for his toughness and undeniable impact off the bench.

Offensively, a limited Aldrich is still important. Yes, he has minimal range and a jump hook is pretty much all he has to offer in the post, but he has a soft touch near the rim and for a group of role players who always struggle to penetrate and create better shots than isolated three-pointers, Aldrich as a pick-and-roll option is key.

Both in the way he can finish with that hook shot or attract defenders on a roll to the basket, he can be used for the occasional score inside while creating more space for those waiting at the perimeter. In fact, to add another impressive number to his name to show how he helps the bench, Aldrich also ranked 3rd in the NBA this postseason in screen assists, creating 3.8 baskets per game as the screener for the shooter (per NBA.com).

Apr 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and Los Angeles Clippers center Cole Aldrich (45) go after a loose ball during the second half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

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Put all of this together, and Aldrich recorded an exceptional player efficiency rating of 21.3, becoming everything the Clippers’ second unit is not. They fought hard in the playoffs after losing Paul and Griffin and they really took a step forward defensively this season, and that’s all brilliant. It’s exactly what the team needs. But what the team rarely gets from the second unit is physicality, grit, rebounding, and interior structure at either end of the floor.

Yet the Clippers get all of that from Aldrich.

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“I don’t want anyone to get big deals, but I want them to all do well, I guess is what I’m saying,” Doc said to Dan Woike of the Orange County Register. “I hope they all make a lot of money, I hope they all somehow make it here, I just don’t know how that’s going to happen… We have to try to sign as many of our guys back as possible.”

Aldrich needs to be one of the guys the Clippers prioritize. Perhaps they adjust negations to create an inch more cap space or try to use an exception for him. However they can make something work if he opts out with his 2016-17 player option, they need to do their best.

Because beyond his importance and bargain value, finding such a competent and valuable defensive center elsewhere for such a small amount of money will be an incredibly tall order. Thanks to his performance this season and the rising salary cap to around $90 million, Aldrich may command more than the $5.6 million that the Clippers’ mid level exception can offer him.

Next: Paul, Griffin expected to leave Clippers after 2016-17 season

No matter how it happens, though, Cole Aldrich needs to be in Los Angeles at the end of free agency. As someone who’s saved countless bench rotations this season, he’s more than earned it.