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Clippers Free Agency: 5 big men L.A. need to pursue

By Tom West

Nov 20, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Jon Leuer (30) drives to the basket against Denver Nuggets forward Darrell Arthur (00) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Suns won 114-107. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Jon Leuer (30) drives to the basket against Denver Nuggets forward Darrell Arthur (00) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Suns won 114-107. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 4, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers center Jordan Hill (27) tries to save a loose ball against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers center Jordan Hill (27) tries to save a loose ball against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Jordan Hill

When looking for a slightly tougher interior presence, capable of playing at both power forward and center, someone like Jordan Hill fits the Clippers’ needs and (hopefully for Doc) their budget.

After ridding himself of the pressure of playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, starting 57 games in 2014-15 and going through his fair share of struggles over the beginning of his career, Hill stepped into a 20.7 minutes per game role with the Indiana Pacers this season and did his job well. With limited offensive responsibility, Hill settled down as a rebounder and interior defender, doing what was asked of him in a rotation alongside Ian Mahinmi and Myles Turner.

Similarly to his time with the Pacers, Hill would join the Clippers in a small role with fewer minutes. And even if Aldrich leaves, there’s still only so much playing time left for a center behind DeAndre Jordan (33.7 minutes per game this season). Plus, when Doc opts for a small lineup with four shooters around either Griffin, Jordan or whichever big is left at center, the opportunity for a new acquisition is decreased.

The benefit of Hill, though, is that he’s proven he’s capable of switching between the four and five, giving the Clippers the option to maintain real size with their bench lineups if he’s paired with another big and actually have some reliable interior play and rebounding.

Despite fairly limited rim protection and a habit of taking a few too many mid-range jumpers, Hill adds some presence in the paint, he defends the post, and he can rebound (10.7 boards per 36 minutes, 3.7 offensive).

For a team in serious need of both those attributes, seemingly devoid of them in the second unit outside of Aldrich, Hill is worth looking into for a few million.

Next: A floor spacing power forward

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